Deputy Prime Minister Vương Đình Huệ called on more support for women looking to start businesses during a forum held in Hà Nội yesterday.— Photo chinhphu.vn

HÀ NỘI – Deputy Prime Minister Vương Đình Huệ called on more support for women looking to start businesses during a forum held in Hà Nội yesterday. 

Speaking at a forum co-organised by the Việt Nam Women’s Union (VWU) and the SNV Netherlands Development Organisation, Huệ hailed women for maintaining the stable growth of their businesses. 

Out of nearly 500,000 enterprises nationwide, more than 100,000 led by women have contributed to national economic stability. Up to 25 per cent of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) owned by women have generated jobs for over 1.63 million workers and added VNĐ32.4 trillion (US$1.4 billion) to the State budget, equivalent to 3.9 per cent of the total, he said. 

He suggested the VWU Central Committee continue developing micro-finance organisations in support of female entrepreneurs along the way. 

The government has submitted a draft law to the National Assembly to assist SMEs, devised incentives targeting micro businesses and start-ups in combination with developing a start-up ecology, he said. 

VWU Chairwoman Nguyễn Thị Thu Hà said the VWU and the SNV Netherlands Development Organisation are offering support to female entrepreneurs in localities within their 2016-20 agreement framework. 

At the event, participants shared the view that the implementation of policies in support of female workers and firms employing many women lack necessary guidance. 

Women’s involvement in business management remains modest, and women-owned firms account for 26.8 per cent of SMEs, mostly operating in services, they said. 
They underscored the role of increased women’s economic empowerment in promoting gender equality, thereby offering men and women equal chances to access opportunities and resources. — VNS