Nguyen Dien from the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry's branch in Da Nang City said research on 200 businesses in the central region showed that most were passive in their response to disaster emergencies.— Photo baodatviet

HCM CITY (Biz Hub)— Many Vietnamese businesses are still unconcerned about natural disaster risks even though they cause both economic and social losses for them.

Nguyen Tri Thanh, Senior Programme Officer of the Asia Foundation's Environment Prog-ramme, said this during a workshop to enhance disaster- risk management for small and medium-sized enterprises in HCM City on Friday.

Nguyen Dien from the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry's branch in Da Nang City said research on 200 businesses in the central region showed that most were passive in their response to disaster emergencies.

Up to 67 per cent did not have emergency phone numbers in case of natural disasters, and 88 per cent had not worked out escape plans, he added.

Experts said businesses can reduce disaster risks by building disaster-resilient facilities and training employees about the risks.

Participants suggested businesses should make use of the risks to create jobs, apply new technologies, change their mode of production and improve community connectivity.

Dien said good disaster-risk management would benefit businesses by protecting their work-force, property and production activities.

Businesses were given information on the Law on Natural Disaster Preparedness and Control, which operates from next May. — VNS