The Mekong Delta province of Tra Vinh will spend nearly VND10 billion (US$430,000) to help local firms improve the quality of key products from now to 2020.

The province will provide capital to companies to improve product quality, productivity and standards, Nguyen Trung Hoang, vice chairman of province’s People’s Committee, said.

Local authorities will also help small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) apply management models and local technical standards, as well as build websites.

They will also help enterprises register their brands both domestically and internationally, Hoang said.

Tra Vinh is home to 2,153 enterprises, 98 per cent of which are SMEs.

They face difficulties in accessing support policies, preferential capital, advanced technology, and local and foreign markets.

To promote SMEs’ development, local authorities will continue to create a healthy business environment, provide financial assistance to enterprises, and improve local infrastructure.

In the 2012-20 period, SMEs in the province will be allowed financial assistance worth a total of C$12.1 million ($9.4 million), including C$11 million of non-refundable aid funded by the Canadian Government. — VNS