Hanoi workshop examines EVFTA opportunities, challenges for SMEs
VOV.VN - The European Union delegation to Vietnam joined the Vietnam Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (VINASME) co-hosting roundtable talks on March 26 in order to discuss future opportunities and challenges for local SMEs brought about by the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).
Themed “Small and Medium Enterprises and the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement” the event attracted the participation of over 100 delegates from various ministries, Government agencies, EU member states, business associations, along with over 50 SMEs in Vietnam.
The roundtable discussions were aimed at enhancing understanding among local businesses, relevant stakeholders, and policy makers regarding the EVFTA and its contribution to SME development.
Delegates touched upon issues relating to the growth, opportunities, and challenges of SMEs, as well as the contributions of the trade pact and ways in which to promote SMEs in a sustainable manner.
In his speech, Ambassador of the EU to Vietnam Giorgio Aliberti underlined the importance of numerous mechanisms which can help SMEs become stronger, and highlighted the EU's support and investment in countries such as Vietnam.
He therefore advised SMEs to take full advantage of the EVFTA while he said he believes will serve to improve the local business climate and create the optimal conditions possible for both EU and Vietnamese businesses.
For his part, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Tran Duy Dong noted that Vietnamese enterprises have encountered numerous difficulties in participating in the regional and global tax system as a result of inadequacies in competitive capacity, the mobilisation of human resources, short-term visions, and a lack of regional linkages.
Nguyen Minh Thao, head of the Research Department of Business Environment and Competitiveness, said SMEs currently account for approximately 98% of the number of businesses and contribute 40% of the country's GDP. Indeed, FTAs and Industry 4.0 have served to create a wealth of opportunities for domestic SMEs to develop fresh business models.
With regard to the sustainable development of SMEs, Stephan Ulrich, program manager of the International Labor Organization (ILO), briefed participants on the challenges ahead for SMEs in terms of their compliance with labour standards, He also pointed out major obstacles faced by workers, including occupational safety, overtime limits, labour contracts, and social security.
During the event, delegates discussed other issues relating to the EVFTA and Vietnamese integration into the global value chain moving into the post-novel coronavirus (COVID-19) period, particularly with the ongoing digital transformation of the Vietnamese economy.
