Like-minded entrepreneurs in Nghe An province are working together to develop their homeland.

(Baonghean) - Immediately following the Spring Festival meeting with thousands of entrepreneurs and businesses, Nghe An province continued to organize the fourth "Golden Cup for Nghe An Entrepreneurs" award ceremony. This is not only a tribute from the Provincial Party Committee, the Provincial People's Council, and the Provincial People's Committee to individuals with outstanding achievements in implementing local socio-economic development goals in the past period, but can also be seen as one of the good news for a new, promising spring in the second year of Nghe An's implementation of Resolution 26 of the Politburo.

Produced at Minh Anh Garment Joint Stock Company - Kim Lien (Nam Dan). Photo: Nguyen Hai

The "Golden Cup for Nghe An Entrepreneurs" was first held in 2009. Since then, every two years, Nghe An entrepreneurs from all over the country have gathered in the warm atmosphere of spring to share their joy after challenging and arduous periods of production and business. The 2015 Golden Cup for Nghe An Entrepreneurs award ceremony brought together over 300 entrepreneurs representing more than 13,000 businesses in Nghe An province across all sectors of production and business to witness the honoring of 39 outstanding entrepreneurs – the brightest "stars". The Golden Cup is a prestigious award bestowed by the Party Committee, government, and people of the province upon the outstanding sons and daughters of the homeland who have made significant contributions to economic development, poverty reduction, and social welfare.

Like many provinces and cities nationwide, Nghe An's economy has been continuously affected by the global economic downturn in recent years. The trend of integration, diversification, and multilateralization of trade and cooperation has opened up many opportunities in investment promotion, forming linkages between businesses within the province and those outside the province, as well as with countries in the region and internationally. However, the volatility of the global market and the issues arising from these multifaceted relationships have created conflicts in the balance of economic interests. Many domestic businesses and companies are on the verge of failure and bankruptcy, including those in Nghe An province. In this context, the leaders of Nghe An province remain confident in the steady leadership of entrepreneurs and businesses – the "locomotives" in stabilizing and growing the province's economy. Indeed, in a speech to the business community of Nghe An, the Secretary of the Nghe An Provincial Party Committee, Ho Duc Phoc, affirmed that: Businesspeople and enterprises are the pillars of the economy, and an important driving force for Nghe An to break through and rise to become a prosperous province as President Ho Chi Minh always wished.

To meet the objective demands placed on the province's economy during this difficult period, provincial leaders have accompanied businesses and entrepreneurs every step of the way. The timely presence, resolution of difficulties and obstacles for businesses, and the formulation of correct policies and guidelines by provincial leaders have significantly contributed to encouraging and motivating the spirit of entrepreneurs. At the investor meeting held on March 4th, Mr. Le Phuoc Vu, Chairman of Hoa Sen Group, affirmed that his company invested in Nghe An for two reasons. Firstly, the goodwill and sincerity of the provincial leaders in connecting and creating an extremely favorable investment environment. Secondly, Nghe An entrepreneurs, whether doing business within or outside the province, are all "heroes and outstanding individuals"; Hoa Sen Group's presence in Nghe An is also to meet and participate in a space of these "talented individuals".

What the Chairman of Hoa Sen Group shared was not just "saying it for fun." At the end of 2014, Nghe An province achieved extremely important accomplishments. Economic growth reached 7.24%; budget revenue reached 7,652 billion VND. The province issued new investment certificates for 145 projects with a capital of over 43,892 billion VND. 2014 was also the year Nghe An's food production reached its highest level ever with over 1.2 million tons; the poverty rate decreased to just over 10%. Comrade Nguyen Xuan Duong, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, affirmed: Nghe An's budget revenue increased by 1,000 billion VND each year, creating new jobs for more than 36,000 local workers. This result is largely due to the significant contributions of Nghe An's entrepreneurs and business community, actively contributing to growth and the diversification and adaptation of the economic structure.

As one of the entrepreneurs receiving the 2015 Golden Cup award, Ms. Tran Thanh Thuy, Director of Nghe An Telecommunications (VNPT), stated that VNPT Nghe An currently has nearly 1,000 employees. Operating in a specialized field, the company always strives for the overall development of society and the province. In 2014, VNPT Nghe An contributed 44 billion VND to the provincial budget. Notably, the unit has always been a pioneer in social welfare work, supporting the poor, charity, and humanitarian activities with an average annual contribution of over 2 billion VND. The female Director of VNPT Nghe An shared that receiving the Golden Cup award is an encouragement and recognition from the provincial leadership for the efforts of the company and its entrepreneurs in overcoming numerous difficulties. "I think this is not just about honoring the 39 entrepreneurs of today, but more importantly, it shows concern and recognition for the entire business community that is silently and diligently creating jobs, generating wealth, and enriching our homeland every day and every hour, and we are just representatives of that community..." - said Ms. Tran Thanh Thuy.

Businesspeople exchange views on the sidelines of the 4th Nghe An Golden Entrepreneur Cup Awards Ceremony. Photo: Dao Tuan

Also awarded the Gold Cup this time, businessman Nguyen Dinh Sinh, Director of Minh Anh - Kim Lien Garment Joint Stock Company, is a Vietnamese expatriate who returned from the Federal Republic of Germany nearly 8 years ago. He said that he returned to Vietnam with the desire to contribute his small part to his homeland. Upon returning to do business in the country, he decided to invest in the garment industry and took over Viet Duc Garment Company. At that time, this company was facing the risk of dissolution. Nearly 100 workers were unemployed; the machinery, equipment, and operating conditions were all old and outdated. In addition, the garment industry always faced fierce competition from other companies and businesses in the same field. With the resilience of a "Nghe An native," businessman Nguyen Dinh Sinh led the company through the most difficult period. From 100 workers on the first day, the company now has more than 1,000 workers. In 2014, the company achieved revenue of 100 billion VND and paid 10 billion VND in taxes to the state. “This year we will continue to expand our operations and will recruit an additional 200-300 workers in our province. Honestly, we operate not only for profit but also out of a sense of responsibility to our homeland,” Mr. Sinh stated.

Approximately 70% of the province's budget comes from business contributions. The growth rate of the province's economy is greatly influenced by entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs and businesses are the core elements of the economy. Whether large or small, whether a company or a sole proprietorship, all contribute to promoting the socio-economic development of the province. The aspiration to become wealthy is not only for individuals but also a responsibility of each entrepreneur to the community and society. Mr. Tran Anh Son, Chairman of the Nghe An Outstanding Business Association, shared this with confidence and pride in the new spring. Mr. Son also stated that the Nghe An Outstanding Business Association currently comprises 152 companies and businesses operating in various fields. There are many criteria for membership in the Outstanding Business Association. They must be the strongest entrepreneurs and businesses in the province. "The strongest are understood not only as those who contribute a large budget or have a large workforce, but also as those who truly possess integrity, talent, and intelligence; who have good character, ethics, a healthy lifestyle, and a commitment to community life," Mr. Son emphasized.

For many years, the Nghe An Outstanding Business Association has made significant contributions to community work and social welfare. In particular, the Association has successfully established and built the "Fund to Support Poor Patients." From providing free bowls of porridge at hospitals to supporting the poor throughout the province, the association demonstrates the compassion and generosity of its local entrepreneurs and businesses. During the fundraising campaign launched at the Golden Cup Award Ceremony, the Nghe An Outstanding Business Association raised 462 million VND. Each contribution represents another act of kindness and sharing with the poor, and also serves as a token of gratitude to their homeland.

At the Spring 2015 Investor Meeting, Comrade Nguyen Sinh Hung, Member of the Political Bureau and Chairman of the National Assembly, affirmed: In the current context and development trends, the Party Committee, the Government of Nghe An, and investors and entrepreneurs must be comrades. That is, sharing the same vision. During his lifetime, President Ho Chi Minh wished for Nghe An to become a prosperous province in the North. This goal can only be achieved with shared vision. The Party Committee and the government of Nghe An need to cooperate with investors, businesses, and entrepreneurs to jointly contribute to the cause of preserving the independence, freedom, prosperity, and happiness of the people, and building a prosperous homeland and country.

Dao Tuan - Hoang Vinh