The Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and business associations signed a joint statement on an action programme for Vietnam’s business community at the Vietnam Business Forum 2014 held in Hanoi on September 19.

The aim of the joint statement is to connect Vietnamese businesses, coordinate with the Government and international businesses, and build an independent and competitive economy.

Chairman of VCCI Vu Tien Loc said the programme focuses on four main groups of actions, namely joining hands with governmental agencies to reform institutions, to create a favourable and transparent business environment and to restructure the economy; designing and implementing programmes to enhance enterprises’ competitive capacity; boosting connectivity and building a strong network of business associations; and nurturing a business culture that is deeply imbued with national identity.

Speaking at the event, Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan spoke highly of VCCI’s effective cooperation with governmental agencies to foster constructive dialogues between the business community and governmental agencies as well as local authorities. The VCCI also plays an important role in encouraging the business community to make feedback and recommendations to the Government on policies and laws, aiming to improving the business and investment environment.

According to the VCCI, the country now has more than 300 business associations, with one third of them operating on a national scale.-VNA