(MPI) - The project “Promoting Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and Industrial Development”, funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), has been implemented since October 2020 and achieved significant and sustainable results. The Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) in collaboration with JICA on December 12 held a closing ceremony for the project to evaluate its achievements over the past three years.

Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Tran Duy Dong addresses the event. Photo: MPI

The project aimed to establish and enhance the capabilities of a team of experts and consultants supporting SMEs. It focused on strengthening the capacity of Vietnamese SMEs in the supporting industries to participate in the global value chain.

Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Tran Duy Dong stated that the development of SMEs, particularly in the supporting industries, is seen as a crucial solution for Vietnam to innovate its growth model, restructure the economy, and move towards sustainable development and a modern industrial sector.

The deputy minister asked the Japanese Embassy in Vietnam, JICA, and related agencies to continue their active collaboration with the MPI. He proposed that the Japanese government consider prioritizing additional resources to continue providing technical support to enhance the competitiveness of the Vietnamese private sector, particularly SMEs, with a focus on supporting Vietnamese SMEs to gradually integrate into regional and international ecosystems and supply chains.

Japanese Deputy Ambassador to Vietnam Watanabe Shibe highly appreciated the project’s achievements. He expressed hope that with Vietnam becoming a major destination for foreign investors, especially from Japan, the consultants trained in the Japanese consulting style will play an active role in strengthening cooperation between Vietnamese and Japanese companies in the future./.

Bao Linh

Ministry of Planning and Investment