A workshop on the women entrepreneurs development project in Ha Noi on Monday. — Photo doanhnghiepvn.vn

Vietnamese enterprises, especially women-owned businesses, are still facing many difficulties and barriers in developing and accessing resources, such as credit and land.

Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment (MPI) Vu Dai Thang made the statement at a workshop on the women entrepreneurs’ development project in Ha Noi on Monday.

The project is funded by the Government of Canada, implemented by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission of Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP).

The project aims to support Vietnamese women-owned businesses to remove difficulties and obstacles in business development.

Especially, through the supporting activities of the project, firms will be strengthened and their potential unleashed.

“This will also be an important resource to help Viet Nam continue to implement more policies and activities to promote the development of women-owned businesses through creating an entrepreneurial business environment which is increasingly favourable for women," said deputy minister Vu Dai Thang.

Data from the Ministry of Planning and Investment shows that women-owned enterprises account for less than 30 per cent of the total number of businesses in Viet Nam, mainly operating in the fields of commerce and services.

About 60 per cent of women-owned enterprises are micro-sized with under 10 employees.

In addition to the common constraints of the business sector, women also had to face barriers from social prejudices, attendees heard at the workshop. — VNS