Denmark Supports Vietnam Firms to Raise Competitiveness

The Global Competitiveness Facility under the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) has launched a program to assist Vietnamese enterprises in the 2011-2013 period. Under the program, GCF will provide VND216 billion ($10.3 million) as non-refundable aid to between 50-60 private and non-state economic organizations in Nghe An, Thanh Hoa, Khanh Hoa, Phu Yen, Dac Lac, Lam Dong, An Giang and Can Tho provinces. Enterprises involving in agriculture, farm produce processing, fisheries, aquaculture, handicrafts and tourism will be given priority. Top priority will be given to female entrepreneur producers. GCF’s program aims to help develop trade services, which bring active and long-term benefits to the development of the value chain towards exports. It also helps reduce financial risk for private and non-state organizations. In the 2006-2010 period, GCF granted VND135 billion to 52 Vietnamese enterprises in Ha Tay, Nghe An, Khanh Hoa and Lam Dong provinces, generating 6,396 jobs for local people. (cpv.org.vn Sept 24)