The Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) in partner with TRAFFIC yesterday held the launch of the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN), which is a global network that helps people turn their ideas into promising new ventures—creating jobs, accelerating innovation and strengthening economic stability around the world.

GEN is a global network that helps people turn their ideas into promising new ventures.

Representatives from government agencies, universities, companies, business associations, and startup funds attended the Vietnamese launch of the GEN, which was also aimed at encouraging influential organizations from different sectors to join, including the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the National Agency for Technology Entrepreneurship and Commercialization Development, the Ministry of Science and Technology, and Startup Vietnam Foundation.

During the event, more than 60 Vietnamese entrepreneurs and businesspeople learned about the benefits of implementing corporate social responsibility (CSR) policies that integrate zero-tolerance towards threatened wildlife consumption.

“This network is a powerful platform to instil zero-tolerance toward threatened wildlife consumption in the Vietnamese business community,” said Madelon Willemsen, Head of TRAFFIC’s Viet Nam Office.

“We are engaging key members of our target audience to show that corporate social responsibility is not only an ethical practice, it can also benefit companies in the long run.”

A 2015 Nielsen global consumer study found that 86% of Vietnamese consumers—the highest number of socially conscious consumers in any of the countries surveyed—are willing to pay more for products and services that come from companies that are committed to positive social and environmental impact.

“Viet Nam’s high percentage of socially conscious consumers is a vital piece of information that successful entrepreneurs need to know—being good to the environment is good for business too,” said Willemsen.

“We want to show members of the GEN that investment in socially and environmentally responsible practices can improve their reputation, attract foreign investment, and appeal to a broader audience,” said Le Thi Thu Thuy, Vice Director of VCCI’s Small and Medium Enterprise Development Centre.

“Now that they see how to use CSR to protect wildlife and improve their business prospects, members of GEN Viet Nam are committed to taking actions to stop the illegal trade and consumption of wildlife such as rhino horn.”

VNF