Building strong business community in Hai Phong
Secretary of the Hai Phong Party Committee Le Ngoc Chau has urged collective efforts to build a strong generation of Hai Phong businesses and entrepreneurs capable of competing in the global marketplace.
The Hai Phong People's Committee held a meeting with businesses on the morning of October 13 to hear their views under the theme “Hai Phong Enterprises – Collaborate to Grow, Innovate to Lead,” marking the 22nd Vietnam Entrepreneurs’ Day.
Attendees included Le Ngoc Chau, Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the City Party Committee and Head of the City National Assembly Delegation, and representatives of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), city leaders, and more than 600 domestic and foreign direct investment (FDI) enterprises.
Speaking at the meeting, Secretary of the City Party Committee Le Ngoc Chau emphasized the vital role of businesses and entrepreneurs in economic development. The city considers businesses central to its development and uses their satisfaction and success as key measures of the quality of governance and public service.
In the first nine months of 2026, Hai Phong's GRDP grew by 12.08%, the highest rate in six years and the third-highest nationwide. State budget revenue reached nearly VND 164 trillion, FDI inflows exceeded USD 3.6 billion, and public investment disbursement totaled nearly VND 31 trillion. The city also made significant progress in administrative reform, the investment environment and innovation.
These achievements reflect the important contributions of nearly 55,000 active businesses through expanded production, job creation, budget contributions and social welfare activities.
“The time has come for us to take collective action to turn potential into momentum and aspirations into reality, and to work together to build a strong generation of Hai Phong businesses and entrepreneurs capable of competing in the global marketplace,” the Secretary of the City Party Committee stressed.
The city aims to achieve average annual GRDP growth of at least 13% in 2026 – 2030 and have 87,000 businesses by 2030, including at least three major companies participating in global value chains.
To achieve these goals, authorities at all levels and across sectors must shift decisively from a management mindset to one focused on creation, development and service. They must reform administrative procedures and promptly resolve obstacles involving planning, land, investment, construction and the environment. The city is also studying a proposal to establish a single investment promotion and business support agency to assist investors throughout the process, from assessing the investment climate to completing procedures and bringing projects into operation.
The Secretary of the City Party Committee called on agencies and local authorities to strengthen links between domestic and FDI enterprises, promote production partnerships and technology transfer, develop highly skilled workers, and expand supporting industries.
FDI enterprises should create opportunities for domestic businesses to join their supply chains, while local companies should proactively modernize technology, improve management capacity and meet international standards. The city will continue to support businesses under the principle of “harmonizing interests and sharing risks,” while requiring that all business proposals be classified, assigned to clearly identified responsible parties and given specific resolution deadlines.
According to a report by the Department of Finance, of the 24 business proposals received, relevant agencies had issued written responses to 23, while one was awaiting feedback from a Central government agency. The main issues concerned supply-and-demand connections, production premises, taxation, credit, human resources and investment procedures.
To address market access and production space, the city authorities helped connect local businesses with major companies and FDI enterprises. It also accelerated infrastructure investment in industrial parks and clusters and encouraged the development of rental factory space in flexible sizes.
Tax authorities continued to guide businesses on land rental payments and developed an automated value-added tax refund system, scheduled to begin operating in late October 2026. The banking sector studied credit arrangements suited to cash flows, operating cycles and repayment capacity.
The Department of Finance also worked out guidance and support procedures for investors and coordinated efforts to finalize integrated procedures for projects funded by sources outside the budget.
Tran Van Thang, Chairman of the Hai Phong Business Association, said the association had developed a project titled “Enhancing Competitiveness, Attracting Investment and Developing Hai Phong Businesses in 2027 – 2030, with a Vision to 2035,” focusing on two pillars: competitive costs and long-term confidence.
The association called on the city to continue supporting businesses in land access, construction materials, training, technology, credit and market connections, while maintaining regular dialogue and publicly reporting progress on resolving business proposals. Businesses, in turn, should proactively improve management, technology and business models, maintain financial transparency and meet green standards.
Vice Chairman of the City People's Committee Le Trung Kien affirmed that the city would take business feedback into account and incorporate it into action plans, direct the resolution of outstanding proposals, and meet directly with businesses to address their difficulties. The city hoped the business community would continue investing, expanding production and operations, and contributing to the target of annual growth of at least 13%. It also called on businesses to continue working alongside the city, maintaining confidence in Hai Phong and investing, developing production and conducting business there for the long term.
At the meeting, 80 businesses were presented with certificates of merit from the Hai Phong People's Committee in recognition of their significant contributions to the city's socio-economic development, marking the 22nd Vietnam Entrepreneurs’ Day.
LE HIEP – LE DUNG