A plastic product production line of Đại Đồng Tiến Corporation at Nhơn Trạch 3 Industrial Park in Đồng Nai Province. —  VNA/VNS Photo Danh Lam

HCM CITY — Representatives from member cities of the Business Partner City network shared their experiences in developing supporting industries and backing the development of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) at a roundtable in HCM City on Wednesday.

Phạm Thành Kiên, director of the city Department of Industry and Trade, admitted the development of supporting industries in HCM City has met neither potential nor expectations.

He blamed it on several factors, including a dearth of funds and capable human resources, outdated technologies, and the lack of linkages between manufacturers and supporting industries.

Therefore, the city pays special attention to mechanisms and policies required to develop supporting industries.

It would continue to focus on attracting investment from SMEs to raise supporting industries’ production capacity to meet demand from the city’s four key industries (mechanical engineering, electronics - information technology, chemicals - plastics - rubber, food processing) and two traditional industries (garment and textile and footwear), he said.

It has mapped out measures to boost supporting industries, including by assisting them with human resource training and technological reform and building a database for the industry, he said.

Kevin Louey, chairman of economic development at the Melbourne City Council, said the Australian city has adopted measures to support SMEs, including directly connecting with the world’s six largest cities to help the SMEs access other markets.

Melbourne also has in place policies to encourage innovation by SMEs and boost their exports, he said.

Masayuki Inoue, director general of Osaka’s Economic Strategy Bureau, said the Japanese city is home to 189,000 SMEs.

The municipal government has had favourable policies to help the SMEs penetrate foreign markets, including the setting up of representative offices in foreign countries to help take their products there.

Delegates also discussed how to better exploit co-operation opportunities when the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership Agreement comes into effect.

Nguyễn Thành Phong, Chairman of the city People’s Committee, said with the rapid globalisation, countries need to enhance co-operation and support each other to develop.

Under the theme “developing supporting industry and new business opportunities for small- and medium enterprises”, the meeting offered BPC member cities a good opportunity to exchange experiences and strengthen relations, especially in the field of supporting industries.

Trần Vĩnh Tuyến, deputy chairman of the city People’s Committee, said the city offers great potential for foreign companies to operate.

Its links with other BPC member cities and organisations have enabled local SMEs to expand to foreign countries, he said.

The roundtable meeting of the BPC network, an annual event, is held in rotation in member cities to discuss important economic and trade issues that have a direct impact on them.

The 2017 meeting will be held in Osaka.

The Business Partner City network helps promote business interaction within the Asia–Pacific region, contributing to the economic development of each member city. — VNS