Accessing credit requires firms to embrace financial transparency: experts

Enterprises, especially small and medium-sized ones and start-ups, need to enhance financial transparency and connect with banks if they want to obtain loans, according to experts.
Accessing credit requires firms to embrace financial transparency: experts ảnh 1Illustrative image (Photo: VNA)
HCM City (VNS/VNA) -Enterprises, especially small and medium-sized ones and start-ups, need toenhance financial transparency and connect with banks if they want to obtainloans, according to experts.

“It is the same when seeking toraise capital,” said Lam Minh Chanh, founder of business school BizUni andco-founder of the Management and Startup Group.

Many SMEs still have unclearinvoices when buying and selling, he said, warning that they need to be moretransparent with respect to sales and revenues.

The pandemic has severelyaffected the global economy, including Vietnam, he said.

The immediate financial impactis significant for most big and small businesses, and how to raise capitalduring this difficult time to maintain operations and overcome this toughperiod is one of the top concerns of businesses, he said.

"It usually takes us threeto six months to raise capital. During the epidemic period, businesses havedied before they raised capital.

“Therefore, this is the periodwhen businesses have to depend a lot on internal resources. Businesses mustexplore all ways to sell their products to earn revenues to first [survive]."

Dang Van Thanh, Chairman of TTCGroup and the Vietnamese Brand Club, said the current high lending interestrates are a burden for businesses while banks are wary of lending due to riskconcerns.

He said businesses should usetheir “savings,” which could be cash or even assets bought during profitabletimes to help them survive this tough time.

Concurring with him, Ngo CongTruong, Chairman of John & Partners Consultancy and Education JSC, said, “SMEsshould use their savings at this time … Another important thing is thatbusinesses need to cut all unnecessary expenses."

Firms, especially start-ups,should focus on their core business segments, and stop ineffective ones andeven close down if they do not see bright prospects, to start a new one.

Chanh said Vietnameseentrepreneurs often place a lot of enthusiasm and personal finances intostart-up companies, and so when their companies face difficulties or failures,it takes more time for them to close the business compared to theircounterparts in foreign countries.

Thanh said to control costs,businesses have to invest in technology and digital transformation.

The opportunity after thepandemic is real, and firms should reconsider their input sources to reducereliance on imports, expand domestic market share, and seek new markets tocapitalise on the opportunities on offer after the pandemic, he added./.
VNA

See more

The introduction of three new domain extensions alongside existing extensions such as com.vn, org.vn, edu.vn, id.vn and biz.vn would create a more diverse and sector-specific national “.vn” domain system. (Photo: VNNIC)

Vietnam extends free .id.vn, .biz.vn domain fees to three years

The new domain extensions and improved fee incentives are intended to promote the digital economy and digital society by making national “.vn” domains more accessible, particularly to small and medium-sized enterprises, household businesses, cooperatives and young people.

At the ground-breaking of the social housing project in the Dinh Trung Central Park urban area in Vinh Phuc ward, Phu Tho province. (Photo: VNA)

Phu Tho breaks ground on 42 million USD social housing project

Developed by a consortium of An Phu Company Ltd and Eco Fire Company Ltd on a site covering more than 13,000 sq.m in the Dinh Trung Central Park urban area in Vinh Phuc ward, the projects is scheduled for completion and occupation in the first quarter of 2028. It is the 22nd social housing project to break ground in the province so far.

People enjoy tea at the fair. (Photo: VNA)

Northwest tourism fair opens in Lao Cai

Running from October 15 to 21, the fair is part of the expanded Northwest tourism cooperation programme for 2026 and is held in connection with the 2026 Muong Lo Culture and Tourism Festival.

Speakers at the thematic session on economic cooperation at the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry on October 16. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam-Russia trade at structural turning point: report

The report adopts a practical approach, focusing on how businesses operate rather than relying solely on diplomatic assessments. Its aim is to identify ways to translate the two countries’ political goodwill and longstanding trust into tangible economic cooperation.

An overview of the Vietnam-Cambodia International Commerce & Culture Forum 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam-Cambodia Int’l Commerce & Culture Forum promotes business ties

Alongside the positive growth in bilateral economic and trade ties, Vietnamese Ambassador to Cambodia Nguyen Minh Vu highlighted regular cultural exchange activities, including culture weeks and days, artistic performances and photo exhibitions, which have helped introduce each country’s culture to the people of the other.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung (C) witnesses the exchange of the Strategic Alliance Agreement between Petrovietnam and PETRONAS. (Photo: VNA)

Prime Minister backs PETRONAS’ further investment expansion in Vietnam

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung praised PETRONAS and the Vietnam National Industry-Energy Group (Petrovietnam) for maintaining a strong partnership for more than 30 years, with joint efforts supporting Vietnam’s energy security, sustainable development and economic growth, as well as those of the Asian region.

The central province of Nghe An holds an investment promotion conference in Seoul on October 15. (Photo: VNA)

Nghe An seeks stronger tech, clean energy ties with RoK

A Nghe An official affirmed the province's commitment to providing a fair and favourable investment environment, preparing cleared land in the expanded Southeast Nghe An Economic Zone, streamlining administrative procedures, and ensuring clean energy infrastructure for investment projects.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Hang (right) meets with US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Asia and Acting Executive Director of SelectUSA Kelly Coldiron in Hanoi on October 15, 2026. (Photo: baoquocte.vn)

Vietnam, US propel economic, trade, investment ties

Vietnam considers the US one of its leading strategic partners and wants to continue advancing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in a stable, substantive, and effective way for the benefit of its citizens and enterprises, said Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Hang.

Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Hang (R) receives Pamela Phan, former Deputy Assistant Secretary for Asia at the US Department of Commerce, in Hanoi on October 15, 2026. (Photo: baoquocte.vn)

Vietnam, US look to strengthen business, investment ties

Vietnam and the US should further promote business connections and practical cooperation in trade and investment, Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Hang told Pamela Phan, former Deputy Assistant Secretary for Asia at the US Department of Commerce, in Hanoi on October 15.