Accompanying women in border areas to start businesses

Starting a business is a journey of economic development, and also a way for women to affirm their role and position in the family and society. In Ha Tien ward, many women have risen to take control of their lives from small ideas, thanks to the companionship and practical support from the ward Women's Union and local departments, branches and unions.

Delegates visited booths displaying over 100 OCOP products, typical local products started by women.

Many effective models

Ms. Duong Thuy Ha’s Tan Thai bread production facility (Ward 2, Ha Tien Ward) is one of the oldest bread brands in the locality, with more than 50 years of preserving the traditional profession. However, continuing the family business was not easy for Ms. Ha, as old machinery and outdated production methods increased costs and reduced productivity.

Thanks to the support of the Women's Union of Ha Tien Ward, Ms. Ha was able to participate in training courses on modern management and production skills, and at the same time access a preferential loan of 30 million VND from the Social Policy Bank. With capital, she boldly invested in new machinery lines, improved processing procedures and improved product quality. Since then, bread output has doubled, labor costs have been reduced, revenue has been stable with a monthly profit of more than 25 million VND. Not only has her family's life improved, Ms. Ha has also created regular jobs for 6 local workers. "Thanks to the timely attention and support of the Women's Union of the Ward, I have more motivation to move forward. Now that life is more stable, I appreciate my family's traditional profession even more," Ms. Ha shared.

Previously, Ms. Pham Thu Trang's family (residing in Quarter 4, Ha Tien Ward) lived mainly on her husband's meager salary. In 2014, Ms. Trang discussed with her husband about quitting their jobs to learn how to make salted crabs and salted ca xiu to sell at the agricultural market. Initially, the products did not attract many consumers due to lack of processing experience, simple packaging and no brand. But after a while in the market, Ms. Trang realized the great potential from the increasing number of tourists coming to Ha Tien. From there, she came up with the idea of ​​packaging the products and designing eye-catching labels to serve the need to buy them as gifts.

When introduced to the program to support women starting a business, Ms. Trang borrowed 30 million VND from the Social Policy Bank, then expanded her business, developing more products such as: Crab sauce, squid sauce, shrimp paste... With proper investment, her products are now available on online sales platforms, achieving revenue of over 50 million VND/month. "Thanks to the Ward Women's Union supporting capital, business skills and market connections, I was able to build the brand I have today" - Ms. Trang expressed.

Practical support

In the period of 2017-2025, Ha Tien has effectively implemented the project to support women in starting a business, with many specific programs and activities. The associations at all levels established 10 groups of women starting a business, 7 cooperatives, and 7 production association groups. The ward's departments and unions supported funding for 23 women's members to develop livestock and crop models, with a total amount of over 220 million VND; organized over 20 conferences on science and technology transfer, and provided training on livestock techniques for over 5,200 members and women; opened non- agricultural vocational classes for over 500 members. Members' typical products also participated in the One Commune One Product (OCOP) Program. To date, 10 products have achieved 3-star OCOP certification and 2 products have been recognized as typical rural industrial products at the provincial level.

Chairman of the People's Committee of Ha Tien Ward, Tran Hai Quoc, affirmed: "The project to support women in starting a business has been clearly effective, contributing to creating livelihoods and improving the material and spiritual life of women. Through the project, many women members have started businesses successfully, increased their income, and improved their family life."

From 2017 to now, nearly 150 women in Ha Tien have been supported to start a business, with a total amount of nearly 5 billion VND. 100% of women have been supported and helped to do business effectively. Over 1,320 households headed by women have achieved good production and business at all levels. Women's Unions at all levels have created conditions for over 3,490 business households, with a total amount of over 148 billion VND. Vice President of the Women's Union of Ha Tien Ward, Ta Tuyet Phuong, said: "The Union continues to coordinate with banks to expand credit packages specifically for women starting a business, and at the same time connect feasible projects with businesses inside and outside the province to expand investment and enhance local products."

FAMOUS CITY

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/dong-hanh-cung-phu-nu-vung-bien-khoi-nghiep-a424014.html