A conference here yesterday was told that the Government would spend VND3 billion (US$140,000), including about VND1.2 billion from its budget, on the promotions.

The small businesses operate in the fields of food, beverage, essential goods, fashion, garments and textiles, footwear, household devices, interior decoration, arts and handicrafts, automobile, motorbike, hotel and restaurant services.

The conference was told that SMEs faced cumbersome administrative procedures, difficulties in accessing loans, production space shortages and high inventories.

Trung Thanh Co general director Phi Ngoc Chung said that most commercial banks were devoted to large enterprises, making it hard for small businesses to access loans.

He said that to take advantage of low interest rates, it was still hard for SMEs to meet all bank conditions.

Municipal People's Committee vice chairman Nguyen Van Suu said that the capital would send seven teams, including representatives from departments and sectors, to work directly with local enterprises to remove obstacles to business development and foster growth in production.

He said attention would be given to improving investment and business climates and creating more favorable conditions for firms. This would include trade promotion programmes to help reduce high inventories. — VNS