The Vietnam Veterans’ Business Association (VVBA) on August 7 held its first congress in Hanoi, with the participation of 260 delegates representing more than 5,000 war veteran-entrepreneurs nationwide.

In opening the event, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Veterans Association Central Committee Le Thanh Tam stated the VVBA is a voluntary socio-professional association gathering war veterans who are now involving in business activities in the country.

The association has the goal of promoting economic development in general, while supporting its members in their business operations, he said.

Addressing the event, President Truong Tan Sang said under the “doi moi” (renewal) policy, many war veterans have started their own businesses and reaped success, thus not only getting rich themselves but also contributing to poverty reduction and the country’s development.

The establishment of the VVBA marks an important event in the socio-economic life of the war veterans, he said, adding that the association should also take care of less fortunate war invalids and veterans.

The president stressed that the association should also perform the task of educating its members on policies of the Party and State, while protecting the legitimate rights of its members and gaining victory in the “economic battlefield”.-VNA