President Truong Tan Sang has asked entrepreneurs who are deputies of the 13th National Assembly (NA) to give more proposals and recommendations to the NA on how to help enterprises overcome difficulties, maintaining stable operation and making contributions to the country’s economic development.

During an October 25 meeting with 40 deputies who are attending the NA’s 6th session in Hanoi, President Sang said as representatives for businesses nationwide, the deputies should promptly report to the NA difficulties and obstacles that they are facing for timely solutions.

Director of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vu Tien Loc and several business representatives said in the current context of low demand and increasing unemployment, efforts of businesses alone are not enough to take them out of difficulties.

They said currently, as many as 60 percent of enterprises could not pay their corporate income tax, while many big players decided to leave the market, negatively affecting a majority of small and medium-sized businesses.

Capital and access to capital are still crucial needs of businesses in their efforts to maintain operation, the deputies underscored, adding that the current economic policies are on the right track but their implementation is being hindered by different factors, particularly group interests, while delayed administrative reforms pose further obstacles to businesses.

The deputies suggested that the State create a more equal play ground for private businesses while stepping up the equitisation work to mobilise social capital, and attracting more investment on high-tech projects.

They also asked for more effective market forecast work and the setting up of technical barriers to protect domestic products, especially agricultural products.

Many deputies held that it is necessary to increase the competitiveness of Vietnam ’s investment environment, while speeding up the settlement of debts.

Sharing the difficulties of the businesses, President Sang affirmed the Party and State’s consistent policy of creating favourable conditions for businesses to develop and expand operation, particularly in the context of the economic slowdown.-VNA