Authorities in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta province of Tra Vinh have pledged to provide enterprises, mostly small- and medium-sized, better access to preferential loans.

Under the guidance of the provincial People’s Committee, leaders of State agencies in the province on August 2 held a dialogue with local businesses in order to resolve their difficulties.

As many as 2,071 enterprises are operating in the province with a total investment of nearly VND25.6 trillion (US$1.1 billion), creating jobs for more than 87,000 people, according to a report of Tra Vinh Province’s Business Association.

The businesses have difficulties in accessing preferential loans, applying science and technology in production, as well as marketing and expanding markets in the province and abroad.

Most businesses want the province to help them access preferential loans to invest in modern equipment.

Le Van Hai, deputy director of the State Bank of Viet Nam’s Tra Vinh Province branch, said that SMEs would be given priority to loans for production from credit institutions.

Accordingly, SMEs are entitled to preferential interest rates under Decision No 1425/QD-NHNN of the Governor of the State Bank of Viet Nam.

Businesses can contact branches or transaction offices of credit institutions in the area for guidance about procedures for loan access, he said.

In addition, credit institutions may provide loans to businesses through a credit guarantee from the Tra Vinh Development Investment Fund.

According to the policy of the central bank, credit institutions will give priority to SMEs in the fields of agriculture and rural areas, production and trade of exports, and to support industries as well as for businesses that apply high-tech in their production.

Credit institutions have simplified loan procedures, and publicised information and procedures related to loans and interest rates to ensure transparency, according to Hai.

In addition, representatives of Hong Viet Garment Co Ltd in Chau Thanh District, recommended that the province support the company in labour recruitment and training to ensure high quality human resource of the enterprise.

Duong Quang Ngoc, deputy director of the province’s Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, said the company could contact the department’s Employment Service Centre for help in recruitment of highly skilled labour.

The meeting was attended by leaders of departments of Planning and Investment, Industry and Trade, Natural Resources and Environment, and the Taxation Department. The aim was to answer questions related to procedures and conditions of preferential policies in the province. — VNS