Participants in the workshop were officials and experts from the CIEM; Vietnam E-Commerce and information technology agency, or VECITA (Ministry of Industry and Trade); Ministry of Information and Communications; Vietnam Internet Network information Center; Authority of Foreign information service; National Institute of information and communications strategy, Vietnam Institute for Trade,... and representatives of specialized Institutes of VASS.
Electronic commerce (EC) is buying and selling products or services over such electronic systems as Internet and computer networks. EC was known at the end of 2000, many business companies in the U.S.A. and Europe established services through the World Wide Web (Web), and hereby people began to have relationship with EC accompanied with rights to exchange of various goods through Internet, using security protocols and electronic payment services. So far, EC in the world as well as in Vietnam continues to develop strongly and is one of the pillars of the information society and knowledge economy. More than that, EC has infiltrated into every business area, and has associated with information technology and communications. This is also a favorable business environment for small and medium enterprises, importantly contribute to development of the economy in general.
The Workshop was divided into 2 sessions of discussion that focused on the following major issues:
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In the session 1: the representatives heard presentations of reports on Development situation of the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and issues of policies (Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Kim Chung, CIEM); Report on impact of Internet and EC on activities of SMEs (Dr. Nguyen Dinh Chuc, IRSD). In these two reports, the presenters analyzed generally development situation, opportunities and challenges of the SMEs - an important component of the national economy. Thereby, they suggested recommendations, solutions and policy issues towards enhancement of competitive and institutional capacity in order to create development environment for SMEs in Vietnam; pointed out positive contributions of EC factor to creating new business ideas and bringing added value to the SMEs in Vietnam via case studies on EC benefits in a number of websites (South-Eastern company, Nha Viet company, Trung Anh dry leaf painting company...) as well as existence of a number of difficulties in EC in Vietnam (lack of faith in quality of goods, legal environment, obstacles on social and economic infrastructure, etc.).
In the session 2: The experts and scientists together discussed around situation of EC activities (EC's legal framework; Impact of newly issued or modified documents on each aspect of EC activities; Enforcement of legislation on EC in Vietnam) and challenges over time in management and development of EC in Vietnam (Internet infrastructure; Continuous improvement of legal environment; Payment; Meeting needs of courier service; Trust in online environment; Balanced development among regions/provinces)... (Mr. Nguyen Huu Tuan, VECITA and Mr. Nguyen Thanh Hung, VECOM presented).
The workshop contains many exchanges and discussions of the participants. The comments from the relevant agencies will open many useful information for the authorities in policy-making to promote positive aspects as well as overcome difficulties, and minimize negative impacts of Internet and EC on activities of Vietnam’s SMEs in the next stages.
Nguyen Thu Trang
