Equitisation of SOEs must be sped up:experts

Equitisation of SOEs must be sped up: experts

To create a fair business environment to promote the development of the private sector, experts said restructuring of State-owned enterprises (SOEs) must be hastened.
 
Equitisation of SOEs must be sped up: experts ảnh 1Dang Quyet Tien, Deputy Director of the Department of Enterprise Finance (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) - To create a fair business environment to promote thedevelopment of the private sector, experts said restructuring of State-ownedenterprises (SOEs) must be hastened.

Vu Tien Loc, Chairman of the VietnamChamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) said that restructuring SOEs wouldcreate opportunities for the private sector, considered the driver for growthin the next phase of restructuring.

Loc said at an economic forum held recently in Hanoi that the work of equitising SOEs had been disappointing,despite being one of three major pillars of economic restructuring in 2011-15.

“Significant resources are still inthe hands of SOEs. Equitisation must now focus on quality rather than quantity,” Loc said.“This is important as equitisation and State divestments will create opportunities for privateinvestors to buy stakes and become strategic stakeholders.”

According to Deputy Chairman of theNational Assembly’s Economic Committee Nguyen Duc Kien, the Governmentencouraged the private sector to participate in the restructuring of SOEswithout a cap on stake holdings for private investors, except in creditinstitutions.

The biggest challenge is implementingeconomic restructuring efficiently, given unpredictable global developments,such as Brexit, Kien said.

Dau Anh Tuan, Head of the VCCI’sLegal Department, said the picture of the private sector in Vietnam remainedworrisome, citing that more than 58 percent of private firms were unprofitable.

Private firms were still strugglingto access resources, especially loans and land, Tuan said.

“A business environment in whichfirms of all sizes and from all economic sectors can access resources iscritical,” Tuan said.

Dang Quyet Tien, Deputy Director ofthe Corporate Finance Department under the Ministry of Finance said that the equitisation was slow compared to economic development.

“The stagnation is due to the failureto renovate corporate governance and a lack of accountability,” Tiến said. “Equitisation is not simply selling stakes but a process in which SOEswill be renovated towards efficiency,” he said.

Director of the ministry’sEnterprise Development Department Ho Sy Hung questioned why stakes in many SOEsremained unattractive to buyers, citing that nearly half of 426 SOEs whichimplemented stake sales from 2011 to September 2016 failed to sell theirstakes.

Duong Thanh Hien, Deputy Director ofthe Debt and Asset Trading Corporation, said that divesting from loss-makingenterprises was difficult, adding that another problem was evaluating assetvalue.

According to Pham Van Thinh, generaldirector of Deloitte Vietnam, investors still did not trust that enterprises’assets evaluation process used international standards. In addition, there wasa shortage of information provided to investors, causing transparency worries,he said.

Nguyen Quang Thuan, CEO of Stoxplussaid that enterprise information must be adequate and transparent to attractbuyers. “Many foreign investors are keeping their eyes on the equitisation processand waiting for opportunities. The Government and SOEs’ determination isnecessary,” Thuan said. - VNA
VNA

See more

Industrial factories in Tan Uyen city, the southern province of Binh Duong (Photo: VNA)

Investors upbeat about Vietnam’s industrial property market

Investors are bullish on Vietnam's industrial property market growth on the back of the nation's strategic location, sound infrastructure, and increasing demand for industrial space, particularly industrial parks that meet green standards, according to market research.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Belgium and head of the Vietnamese Delegation to the EU Nguyen Van Thao addresses the forum (Photo: VNA)

Forum connects Vietnamese, Belgian busineses

The Vietnam-Belgian business forum took place in Brussels on October 23, offering a chance for enterprises of the two countries to introduce their products and explore new cooperation opportunities.

The expos cover over 6,000 sq.m, drawing over 210 exhibitors from 10 countries and territories. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi hosts textile & garment, fabric garment accessories expos

The Vietnam Hanoi Textile & Garment Industry and Fabric Garment Accessories Expos 2024 (HanoiTex & HanoiFabric 2024) is taking place in Hanoi on October 23 – 25 as part of a series of international exhibitions on Vietnam's textile and garment industry.

Representatives from Vietnamese and Lao agencies, localities and businesses at the opening ceremony of the Vietnam-Laos trade fair 2024 in Xiengkhouang province. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Laos step up trade, tourism promotion

A Vietnam-Laos trade fair was kicked off in Phonsavanh township in Xiengkhouang province of Laos on October 23 as part of activities to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the traditional day of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts in Laos (October 30, 1949 – 2024).

Illustrative photo (Photo: chinhphu.vn)

Vietnamese goods enter US through global supply chain

The Saigon Co.op Distribution Company Limited (SCD) - a member of the Ho Chi Minh City Union of Trade Cooperatives (Saigon Co.op), and STC Natural Vina Company on October 23 held a hand-over ceremony for goods that will be exported to the US.

Vietnam’s lobsters have clawed their way back onto Chinese menus after a suspension. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam’s lobsters claw back prominence in China

Vietnam’s lobster export to the Chinese market in January-September rose 33 folds year-on-year on the back of lower prices and stronger trade ties between the two nations, the South China Morning Post said on October 22.