HCMC – The Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) has announced that 4,000 domestic businesses have received technical assistance from international organizations to transition to sustainable business models.
The MPI has partnered with organizations such as the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and the UN Development Programme (UNDP) to support businesses in adopting green, circular, and inclusive business practices.
Through these collaborations, the MPI has developed three tools to assess businesses’ readiness for adopting circular economy principles, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices, and Inclusive Business (IB) models.
A network of over 100 impact consultants has been established. The Vietnam ESG Initiative, launched in 2023, has attracted nearly 400 participating businesses.
The MPI has also worked closely with ministries, local governments, and industry associations to promote digital transformation, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
As part of these efforts, nearly 14,200 businesses have received direct training, and 440 businesses have benefited from in-depth consulting services in sectors such as tourism, agriculture, and industry.
The SMEs Development Fund (SMEDF) has reduced lending rates by an additional two percentage points and expanded its network of partner banks by 50% compared to the previous year, facilitating better access to capital.
Nine commercial banks have signed agreements with the SMEDF for indirect lending, and efforts are underway to finalize legal frameworks for direct lending to diversify support channels for businesses.
