Mentoring programme for SMEs launched in Vietnam

April 3, 2012

HA NOI

The Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) Networking and Mentoring Programme, funded by the US Department of State, kicked off yesterday in the capital.

The US$40,000 programme aims to contribute to Viet Nam's sustainable development by helping 52 selected SMEs from across the country deal with tough challenges such as economic depression, gain up-to-date business know-how and hear about lessons learned from well-known Vietnamese mentors who are business leaders, economists and economic advisors.

"Accounting for nearly 95 per cent of the country's total, young small and medium sized enterprises play an important role in Viet Nam's development which should be of great concern to the nation," said Dr Vo Tri Thanh, vice director of the Central Institute of Economic Management (CIEM).

Hoang Le Vinh, the founder of the programme, said the SME pilot would help young enterprises by putting them into small working groups, a new approach to mentoring programmes in Viet Nam. In their groups, the SMEs will have the opportunity to share experiences and debate with each other. Their mentors will also help them thoroughly understand the challenges they face.

The project is expected to help train qualified human resources with excellent knowledge and skills to aid the country's development.
Meetings will be held monthly in Ha Noi and HCM City with various activities such as discussions about enterprise improvement plans, workshops and other topics.