Ho Chi Minh City: Small and medium enterprises play a key role in economic development

VTV.vn - In Ho Chi Minh City, small and medium enterprises account for 98%, are the backbone of the regional economy, and play a key role in production, trade, services, etc.

Businesses participating in displaying products at the celebration. Photo: TUNG LAM

On the afternoon of October 11, in Vung Tau ward, the Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) of Ho Chi Minh City held a ceremony to celebrate the 21st anniversary of Vietnamese Entrepreneurs' Day (October 13, 2004 - October 13, 2025) and the 18th anniversary of the establishment of the Association of SMEs.

The year 2025 marks a special turning point: the three localities of Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong and Ba Ria - Vung Tau officially merge into the new Ho Chi Minh City, the economic - financial - service - logistics center of the region and the whole country.

Along with that, Resolution 68-NQ/TW dated May 4, 2025 of the Politburo affirmed the development of the private economy into an important driving force of the country's economy.

In that context, the Ho Chi Minh City Association of Small and Medium Enterprises was born with the mission: "To be a bridge between businesses and the government; to be a common home for the small and medium enterprise community in the Southern key economic region".

Mr. Pham Van Triem, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, spoke at the ceremony. Photo: TUNG LAM

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Pham Van Triem, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, emphasized: "The new Ho Chi Minh City currently has nearly 600,000 registered enterprises, with nearly 400,000 operating enterprises. The total budget revenue is about 480 trillion VND and creates jobs for about 4 million regular workers in different fields. Of which, small and medium enterprises account for 98%, are the backbone of the regional economy, playing a key role in production, trade, services, supporting industries, services and logistics.... This is truly a united business community, strong in scale, sustainable in internal strength, and reaching out in the new era".

The new phase of the Ho Chi Minh City Association of Small and Medium Enterprises is defined as the phase of creation - innovation - association and deep integration, in which member development is the strategic focus and a measure of the Association's strength.

To promote potential and strengths, the Ho Chi Minh City Association of SMEs has built a development strategy for the period 2025-2030. In particular, in the old Ba Ria - Vung Tau, it will focus on depth, developing business clusters in the logistics, supporting industry, tourism, and clean energy sectors. Each year, it strives to develop 300 - 500 new members, focusing on quality, efficiency, and closely connecting with local authorities and industrial parks.

In the old Binh Duong, it will develop according to the industrial cluster network (Cluster Networking); organize business associations in each industrial park, connect SME enterprises to the domestic supply chain. The goal of the old Binh Duong area will be to become the industrial core of the Association.

Ho Chi Minh City Association of Small and Medium Enterprises admitted 18 new members. Photo: TUNG LAM

In the old Ho Chi Minh City, there will be strong development in trade, services, finance, technology, innovation; linking with high-tech zones, innovation centers, startup incubators, attracting young businesses, startups, and FDI.

The Association's goal is to have more than 60,000 members participating in the Ho Chi Minh City Association of SMEs by 2030, of which 70% will be active.

Source: https://vtv.vn/tp-ho-chi-minh-doanh-nghiep-nho-va-vua-giu-vai-tro-then-chot-trong-phat-trien-kinh-te-100251012082116014.htm