VCCI President Pham Tan Cong bestows commendation flags upon those that have achieved exemplary success in fulfilling the mission for the year 2023

In his opening address, VCCI President Pham Tan Cong acknowledged the immense challenges and pressures faced by the VCCI in 2023. Despite these adversities, the solidarity and tenacity of nearly 800 employees enabled the VCCI to navigate these pressures to successfully attain many important achievements.

In 2023, VCCI President Cong highlighted three fundamental milestones that marked the year. The first was the advisory role VCCI played in the promulgation of Resolution 41 by the Politburo. This resolution brought forth innovative perspectives, tasks, and solutions for entrepreneurs, recognizing them as a core force in the nation’s industrialization, modernization, and construction.

Delegates cast votes to elect the People's Inspection Committee

Resolution 41 introduced groundbreaking concepts such as the non-criminalization of economic relations, a national strategy for Vietnamese entrepreneur development, the promotion of nationalistic entrepreneurs and enterprises, and a national program on Vietnamese entrepreneur training.

Subsequently, Resolution No. 43-NQ/TW, dated November 24, 2023, emphasized the promotion of unity and prosperity. In this resolution, the Vietnamese entrepreneur force was recognized as the fourth stratum of the 12 social strata, following workers, farmers, and intellectuals. These developments underscore the increasingly affirmed and recognized position of entrepreneurs, including the role of the VCCI in advising the Party to acknowledge the significance of this force in national construction and development.

The second cornerstone of VCCI’s strategy involves a significant collaboration with agencies such as the Commission of Popularization and Education, the Ministry of Information and Communications, and the Vietnam Journalists Association to implement the project titled “Cooperation in Building a Press and Media Environment to Promote Business Development.”

VCCI Vice President Hoang Quang Phong and VCCI Vice President Bui Trung Nghia present certificates of merit to the units for their successful completion of tasks throughout the year 2023

This holds substantial importance, as it addresses the occasional discord between the media, entrepreneurs, and enterprises. In some instances, intrusive press scrutiny can adversely impact business operations. To rectify this, starting from 2024, the program will honor agencies and journalists who contribute insightful content that inspires entrepreneurs and facilitates the development of enterprises. This move is designed to foster a conducive development environment and lay a robust foundation for entrepreneurs and businesses to thrive.

“The third foundation of VCCI’s success is the systematic application of its complete operating regulations, from staffing, financing, working, foreign affairs to grassroots democracy, in addition to regulations of the Party Committee, the Party Union, and Trade Union,” said the President of VCCI.

In addition to the three major platforms, VCCI has launched several socially significant activities that have enshrined its functions and tasks. These include the 60th VCCI anniversary and its coordination with the Vietnam Musicians Association to successfully organize a program on the composition of the “Vietnamese Entrepreneurial Spirit” song, which was chosen as the anthem of Vietnamese entrepreneurs. Furthermore, on the occasion of Vietnam Entrepreneurs Day, October 13, VCCI hosted a national conference for Vietnamese business associations and entrepreneurs. This conference is set to become an annual event in the near future, with the participation of all business associations throughout the country.

VCCI Vice President Nguyen Quang Vinh and Mr. Nguyen Trung Hieu, Head of the Propaganda Committee of the Party Committee of the Central Enterprises Bloc, confer certificates of merit upon specialized units and departments in recognition of their outstanding contributions

In addition, VCCI has launched regional connection activities in accordance with Party and governmental policies. Pilot activities include linking 13 Mekong Delta provinces and forming the Eastern Highway Economic Corridor (VEHEC), consisting of Hung Yen, Hai Duong, Hai Phong, and Quang Ninh.

VCCI President Cong said, the Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI) in 2023, a prestigious traditional activity of VCCI, also reformed its methods and contents, including the Provincial Green Index (PGI). The 2023 Corporate Sustainability Program also remodeled its indicators to stay updated with current megatrends and upgraded its evaluation and voting methods.

 According to Ms. Tran Thi Lan Anh, General Secretary of VCCI, VCCI’s key tasks in 2023 were completed as stated in the resolution of the 7th VCCI Congress. Most solutions based on six key task groups and three strategic breakthroughs were promoted and executed. In general, VCCI’s activities generated good ripple effects and received positive responses from the business community.

However, VCCI still had some shortcomings in 2023. For instance, its activities were quite expansive while resources for implementation remained limited. Some tasks were carried out behind schedule, and the quality of consultations was not as high as expected. Additionally, the revenue of some business units was not commensurate with their actual potential.

She added that, in 2024, in addition to regular tasks, VCCI will focus on executing a number of key tasks and solutions: Promoting the implementation of resolutions of the Party, the National Assembly and the Government and the resolution of the 7th VCCI Congress, with focus on building and executing the action program for implementation of Resolution 41-NQ/TW of the Politburo on building and promoting the role of Vietnamese entrepreneurs in the new era and opening a mid-term review meeting on implementation of the resolution of the 7th VCCI Congress; maintaining the performance, improving the quality of policymaking, and further facilitating the business environment, with focus on enhancing the effective participation of business associations in VCCI’s policymaking.

At the same time, VCCI will strengthen its business development support, launch business matching activities, develop Vietnamese entrepreneurs, encourage the construction of Vietnamese businesses, and effectively deploy the “Promoting the construction of Vietnamese business culture in 2022-2026” Project. VCCI will also accelerate trade and investment promotion, business training and development, and international integration support for businesses.