On November 23, a closing ceremony of SME Tra Vinh project and celebrating 22 years of partnership between Tra Vinh and Canada was organized by the People's Committee of Tra Vinh in collaboration with the Canadian Embassy in Vietnam. It is said that the number of small and medium-sized enterprises in Tra Vinh increased significantly with great improvement in management capacity, thereby promoting production and business, building links between smallholder farmers and businesses, cooperatives, and markets.

Speaking at the ceremony, Le Van Han, Chairman of Tra Vinh Provincial People's Committee said that over the past 22 years, in the spirit of friendly cooperation and partnership, the Canadian Government has supported Tra Vinh to conduct many programs and projects on improving the quality of education and economic life for local people and businesses, contributing to the development of the province today. Some typical examples are the Tra Vinh Community College project; small-scale infrastructure construction project; life improvement project and SME Tra Vinh project.

Tra Vinh has effectively used funding sources and ensured sustainability through each deployed program/project, building trust with the people and the connection between Canada and Tra Vinh.

Guests discussed Canada's footprint in economic and social development in Tra Vinh and future development cooperation opportunities.

According to Le Van Han, after 9 years of implementation, the SME project has made many significant contributions and brought many positive changes to the province's socio-economy. The number of small and medium-sized enterprises increased significantly. In 2015, Tra Vinh had 1,306 small and medium-sized enterprises operating. To date, that number has doubled to 2,840 businesses. Among these, over 28% are female-owned businesses and 6.8% are ethnic minority-owned businesses.

SME Tra Vinh has contributed to changing the awareness of small and medium-sized enterprises about the importance of capacity-building activities; thereby significantly improving the management capacity, production, and business thinking. This project also helps to build links between farmers and businesses, cooperatives, and markets, forming a sustainable supply chain, and connecting, and harmonizing the interests of producers and other stakeholders in the chain.

In addition, several experimental activities initiated by the SME Tra Vinh have been implemented such as the innovative small and medium-sized enterprise financing program; business incubator, etc., to promote creative thinking and entrepreneurship, showing compatibility with the general policy and is supported and actively participated by businesses.

SME Tra Vinh Project has supported investment in the construction of small-scale infrastructure projects in 18 communes/towns with the participation of the community, helping to improve the capacity of being an investor at the commune level and monitor the construction process as well as the quality of works by local people.

At the ceremony, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Canada Shawn Steil said: “Over the past 22 years, Tra Vinh has always been an important partner of Canada, consistent with the comprehensive partnership between Vietnam and Canada”. The Ambassador highly appreciated the achievements of the cooperative relationship between the two sides, considering this a solid and strong foundation to promote comprehensive cooperation between Tra Vinh and Canada.

Canadian Ambassador Shawn Steil believes that with its advantages, Tra Vinh will be a potential destination for Canadian investors. The Canadian Government will continue to accompany, support, and cooperate with the province in many future projects.

On this occasion, the Chairman of Tra Vinh Provincial People's Committee awarded 28 certificates of merit to 11 groups and 17 individuals with great contributions in the implementation of SME projects, supporting the socio-economic development of Tra Vinh. The Canadian Government awarded 14 certificates of merit to individuals who have contributed greatly to the Tra Vinh - Canada cooperation relationship.

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