50,000 small and medium-sized enterprises supported with digital transformation by the Make in Vietnam platform

VietTimes – At least 30,000 businesses are expected to have the opportunity to experience Make in Vietnam digital transformation solutions for free under a program that the Ministry of Information and Communications will lead.

Providers of Make in Vietnam technology solutions partner with the program to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in their digital transformation.

The support program for small and medium-sized enterprises’ digital transformation was just announced by the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) at the online Conference to Review 2020 and Deploy 2021 Tasks, held this morning (January 12) in Hanoi.

Businesses that register for the program will receive a free 3-month trial of the platforms. If they sign a one-year contract, they will receive 6 months free, along with complimentary training courses, consulting, experience sharing, and preferential policies specific to each platform.

According to Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Huy Dung, businesses are an indispensable part of the national digital transformation process, alongside the government and the people. Of the approximately 800,000 businesses in Vietnam today, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) account for 98%. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected 90% of these SMEs.

“The current pain point for small and medium-sized enterprises is the lack of a market for their products, as traditional markets have shrunk due to social distancing, and their dependence on intermediaries, all while still having to maintain operating costs. As a result, revenue has dropped by about 50%. The number of small businesses temporarily suspending operations is around 24%, and the number of newly established businesses has decreased by about 15%. According to a survey, about 47% of businesses consider digital transformation and moving to a digital environment an urgent need, but they are still unfamiliar with it and don’t know where to start” – Deputy Minister Nguyen Huy Dung stated.

Using digital platforms as the key, the MIC has led the effort to gather, evaluate, and select Make in Vietnam platforms and technology applications to serve the digital transformation program for small and medium-sized enterprises. This is considered a positive initiative, contributing to the implementation of the dual goals set by the Government.

Mr. Do Cong Anh – Deputy Director of the Authority of Information Technology Application, announces the support program for small and medium-sized enterprises’ digital transformation.

Accordingly, the program will be implemented systematically throughout 2021, with specific monthly and quarterly evaluations to draw lessons and make appropriate adjustments. The SME support program includes 5 main operational groups:

First is the accounting field, helping businesses find the right accountants with suitable skills and expertise, regardless of geographical distance. Second is the online advertising and marketing field, based on the sharing economy model. Third is the field of direct goods distribution to retailers, eliminating intermediaries to reduce costs for the end-user. Fourth is online payments, moving towards a contactless, cashless spending management model. Fifth is customer care, implemented synchronously and integrated across multiple channels to support remote sales.

The program involves the coordinated participation of outstanding Make in Vietnam technology solution providers. From a Vietnamese perspective, addressing Vietnamese “pain points,” the program promises to lay the groundwork for digital transformation in the SME sector by changing the business environment, creating new value, and contributing to the national digital transformation effort.

Source: https://viettimes.vn/