Hitting the 'pain point' of the private economy.

TP - The systematic training of 10,000 CEOs has "hit the nail on the head" for the private sector economy, in the context of businesses facing increasing pressure regarding governance, risks, and competitiveness.

A reporter from Tien Phong newspaper interviewed Associate Professor Pham Van Tuan, Vice Rector of the School of Business, National Economics University, and Vice President of the Academic Council of the Vietnam Marketing Association, about this issue.

The Ministry of Finance is currently soliciting feedback on a draft program to train 10,000 CEOs for the private sector. What are your expectations and assessments of this strategic plan?

-I believe this proposal has hit the nail on the head and addressed a chronic "pain point" for Vietnamese businesses today. In reality, the economic landscape of our country shows that 80-90% of the businesses are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The term "small and medium-sized" here doesn't simply refer to size; it clearly reflects their mindset, operational scale, financial capacity, and especially the quality of their human resources.

Therefore, the Prime Minister's issuance of Decision No. 525, dated March 31, 2026, aimed at providing systematic training for 10,000 CEOs, is a timely "touchpoint" that creates a launching pad for the development of the country's business community.

Assigning the Ministry of Finance the lead role will ensure smooth and unified operation between the action planning phase and the allocation of financial resources – two factors that determine the project's success or failure. However, the biggest challenge when starting the project is to identify and target the right beneficiaries, while carefully selecting reputable training institutions, universities, and academies to entrust the program to, ensuring consistent and genuine quality of graduates.

If we consider the target of 10,000 CEOs alongside the more than 75,000 member businesses of the Vietnam Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, is this number too modest? How can we create a widespread ripple effect, sir?

Witnessing the more than 75,000 member businesses of the Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, and interacting with the association's leadership as well as business owners, I deeply empathize with their numerous concerns and difficulties. The question of how to adequately support and allocate training resources effectively to the right target audience is something that has preoccupied me greatly. The Association of Small and Medium Enterprises is only one part of the picture; our country also has a highly developed Young Entrepreneurs Association along with numerous other industry associations.

To create a strategic impact and spread effectiveness through a "ripple effect," we must categorize trainees into specific industry groups and "personalize" training for each target audience. Besides providing a foundation of general management knowledge, in-depth training on the specific characteristics of each field is also crucial. A clear example is the parallel training program for 10,000 CEOs, signed into law by the Deputy Prime Minister, alongside this general 10,000 CEO program.

When CEOs participate in collaborative learning programs, they automatically connect, forming a symbiotic ecosystem where the output of one business can become the input of another, fostering mutual growth. Vietnamese businesses need to be united and closely cooperate in the domestic market first, before venturing into the global market to establish their national brands. The Prime Minister's selection of this project is a very correct step, allowing the State to play a supporting role and unleash the potential of the private sector.

Associate Professor Pham Van Tuan, Vice Rector of the School of Business, National Economics University, and Vice President of the Academic Council of the Vietnam Marketing Association.

However, the key lies in the coordinated implementation between associations, social organizations, and university training institutions.

Our idea is that, in addition to teaching, the school will closely integrate with activities supporting entrepreneurship and connecting with investment funds. For example, leveraging the existing alumni and graduate student ecosystem of the National Economics University is a significant advantage for implementing the program.

When large corporations see a good business idea and a capable CEO, they will not hesitate to invest. The "State and people working together" model here should be understood as the "older brothers," the large enterprises, stepping up to mentor and guide smaller enterprises, helping to reduce the financial burden on the state budget.

As an expert with many years of experience working directly with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), what do you see as the biggest gaps or challenges they face in risk management today?

-I always ask myself, does a car really need brakes? Many people think brakes are there to slow down the car. But in reality, risk management is the brake of a business. Imagine a car with a safe, modern braking system; it allows the driver to confidently accelerate and go very fast. Conversely, no one would dare drive fast in a car without brakes. Instead of the stereotypical thinking that risk management hinders progress, we must deeply understand that it is the strong brake that helps a business move forward safely and effectively.

Today's businesses face a variety of risks, including media crises, policy changes, the context of globalization, and inherent risks. Risk management is a comprehensive, integrated system, not just a matter for individual leaders. We delve into supplementary topics, viewing risk management as the backbone to equip learners with a systems thinking mindset and strategic vision.

Thank you, sir.

Source: https://tienphong.vn/cham-dung-diem-dau-cua-kinh-te-tu-nhan-post1846533.tpo