Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan has hailed the efforts of businesspeople across the country to stabilise and develop Vietnam’s economy at a New Year gala.

The event was organised by the Vietnam Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (VINASME) on January 26 to encourage business community to overcome difficulties and reap more achievements in 2013.

Addressing the meeting, the Vice President recognised the contributions by small and medium enterprises (SMEs). They generate 40 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product ( GDP ) and employs half of all labourers.

She spoke highly of the three main contributions of the SMEs to the community, namely creating agricultural services for the agriculture sector and jobs for millions of farmers, providing quality insurance services, and joining the Government in charity activities.

Vice President Doan asked the business community to overcome the difficulties, help each other develop, enhance competitiveness, produce better quality products, and further contribute to the country.-VNA