Opinion
Despite positive developments, businesses still fret
  • By Bui Hoang Tam | dtinews.vn | May 18, 2017 04:38 PM
 >>  PM vows to ensure fair treatment to all enterprises
The business community may be positive following their dialogue with the PM on Wednesday, but many may still worry about the obstacles they face with lower-level officials.



Chairman of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Vu Tien Loc, speaks at the meeting with PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc on May 17 in Hanoi.


Right after taking the post in 2016, PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc accepted a proposal by Chairman of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), Vu Tien Loc, to have annual direct meetings with businesses operating in Vietnam.

Following the first successful meeting last April with 500 enterprises, the second meeting held on May 17 attracted 2,000 businesses and more government leaders, which showed the government's strong determination to support the business community.

Over the past year, the government run by PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc has carried out some important works to help local businesses including issuing 50 decrees which aims at improving business investment environment, cutting down on administrative procedures, etc. The government's actions have "encouraged all local enterprises" according to VCCI chairman Vu Tien Loc.

In this year's meeting, many ministers shared the efforts they've made over the past year and gave important commitments to continue their support to local businesses.

Minister of Industry and Trade, Tran Tuan Anh said that they have issued over 40 new circulars and proposed reforms to 21 decrees and decisions following the last year meeting. He promised to continue assisting enterprises to better access the market and removing unnecessary administrative procedures.

Minister of Science and Technology, Chu Ngoc Anh vowed to help start-ups access new technologies.

Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Tran Hong Ha, said they would make necessary amendments to policies on land and natural resources to better support enterprises and ensure sustainable development.

Minister of Public Security, To Lam said they would focus on reforms of policies relating to finance and administrative procedures so as to provide the best condition for enterprises.

Hanoi chairman Nguyen Duc Chung vowed to organise regular direct meetings with local businesses to listen and solve rising problems and build a smart city with modern administration.

Participating deputy PMs all gave contributing ideas in which deputy PM Truong Hoa Binh stressed the need to protect local enterprises and give stricter punishments to any harassment against businesses.

At the end of the meeting, the PM signed Directive 20 on adjusting the practice of inspecting and examining enterprises.

Replying the commitments by the PM and other government leaders, the VCCI chairman Vu Tien Loc said they highly appreciated the government's willing to support local businesses. However, he also expressed concern that many of government's instructions were not properly carried out by localities due to the current unclear stipulation in rights and responsibilities.

It is expected that with the policies set by the government, the Vietnamese businesses community will be able to support the economy’s growth.

But the VCCI leader has good reason to worry. It's not uncommon for local enterprises to see many government's policies being ignored at local levels. An irresponsible officer at a ward can be a huge obstacle for the development of local companies.

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