Nhan Dan Online - The first National Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SME) Week was officially opened on November 18 in Hanoi with a SME forum attracting the participation of 500 domestic and foreign delegates.

Delegates to the forum focused their discussion on policies for SME development as well as exchange of experiences and proposed measures to strengthen the competitiveness of SME in the process of economic integration.

A similar forum will be organised in Ho Chi Minh City on November 20.

In addition, during the SME Week, various activities including seminars, a TV talk show, training courses for SME businessmen will be held in different localities across the country. The event is expected to create opportunities for policy makers, relevant ministries and agencies and enterprises to meet, discuss, share experiences and work out measures for development of SME.

SME Week is jointly organised by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Ocean Group.

Currently, of over 350,000 enterprises in Vietnam, up to 96.5% of them are SME which contribute 40% of GDP and over 17% of total State budget collection annually, creating jobs for over 50% of total workers working for enterprises.

Thu Thin