The number of businesses operating in the northern province of Hai Duong has increased 13 times to 6,000 compared to the 1997 figure.

The information was revealed by Nguyen Huu Doan, President of the provincial Entrepreneurs Association at a recent meeting in the locality to celebrate the Vietnam Entrepreneurs Day (October 13).

In general, the businesses have made active contributions to the development of the province and the association, he said, adding that many of them have reaped successes in the domestic market and even reached out to foreign markets with their prestigious brands.

At the meeting, entrepreneurs said that they still face a lot of difficulties in production and business activities.

They urged the authorities to have specific mechanisms and policies to support their operations while speeding up the streamlining of administrative procedures to reduce their time and costs.-VNA