Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnamese Ambassador to the Netherlands Ngo Thi Hoa has called on PUM, a non-profit organisation of the Netherlands committed to sustainable development of small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) in developing countries and emerging markets, to turn its eyes towards poor and remote localities in Vietnam.

At a reception for PUM’s Country Coordinator in Vietnam Sven Dekker and PUM’s Country Project Officer Kim Nagtegaal on October 5, Hoa suggested the organisation pay special heed to disadvantaged groups like women and farmers to help them access business opportunities and improve livelihoods.

She also urged PUM to implement education and livelihoods projects in Vietnam.

The ambassador applauded the organisation for its active and sustainable activities to support SMEs in Vietnam.

The Vietnamese Embassy in the Netherlands will closely coordinate with PUM to roll out more projects in Vietnam, she pledged.

Sven Kekker said PUM has 150 representative offices in more than 30 countries worldwide. With 30 years of operation in Vietnam, PUM has carried out about 100 small-scale projects in the country each year, focusing on vocational training, agriculture, start-up and tourism.
 
PUM has also sent experts to Vietnam to help the country implement new projects sustainably.

PUM has been present in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, the central city of Da Nang, the Central Highlands city of Da Lat, the Mekong Delta and adjacent areas, he said.-VNA