500,000 billion VND credit package prioritizes businesses investing in infrastructure and technology:

The 21 banks that initially registered to participate have prepared capital and resources to implement the program with preferential interest rates. The interest rates are at least 1% lower per year than the average medium- and long-term lending rates.

Customers transact at the Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Foreign Trade of Vietnam. *Photo: Nguyen Quang*

No use of state budget

Deputy Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam Dao Minh Tu said that the State Bank has worked directly with 21 commercial banks to discuss the implementation plan. Of which, 4 state-owned commercial banks (the "Big 4" group) including: Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Foreign Trade of Vietnam (Vietcombank), Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Industry and Trade of Vietnam (VietinBank), Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BIDV) and Vietnam Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development ( Agribank ) are identified as the key players, each bank registered to participate with 60,000 billion VND.

In addition, 12 large-scale private banks registered VND20,000 billion/bank and 5 smaller-scale commercial banks registered about VND4,000 billion/bank.

The VND500 trillion credit package will focus on prioritizing businesses investing in two key areas: infrastructure and technology. In particular, projects in the fields of digital technology , digital transformation, smart manufacturing, etc. will receive preferential interest rates at least 1% lower per year than the current average. At the same time, the preferential period will be extended to at least 2 years, creating favorable conditions for businesses to effectively implement projects.

Deputy Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam Dao Minh Tu added that it is noteworthy that the VND500 trillion credit package will not use the state budget or foreign loans. Instead, commercial banks will use their own mobilized resources to provide credit, on the basis of restructuring loans, extending loan terms, as well as co-financing large projects.

In fact, many banks have provided loans for science, technology, innovation, digital transformation and strategic infrastructure projects. For example, Vietcombank is financing many key projects such as Long Thanh Airport, Nhon Trach 3 and 4 Power Plants, or the Lao Cai - Vinh Yen power transmission line.

Meanwhile, Vietnam International Commercial Joint Stock Bank (VIB) is financing BOT projects, power generation and transmission. Most recently, the bank has participated in financing part of the 500kV power line project...

Other banks in the group of 21 banks are also ready. Representatives of the banks affirmed that as soon as there are specific instructions from the State Bank, the banks will quickly disburse capital. However, there are opinions suggesting that more flexibility in the implementation mechanism is needed, such as capital contribution and benefit sharing instead of just applying the traditional lending model.

In addition to providing capital to priority customers, banks are also proactively applying early support policies for businesses affected by the new tax policy from the United States. Some units have proposed a debt restructuring mechanism, maintaining the debt group, and simultaneously reducing interest rates and fees to share difficulties with customers.

Need to implement practically and effectively

Experts say that the VND500 trillion credit package needs to be implemented in a practical, effective and multi-targeted manner. However, during the implementation process, banks need to balance supporting businesses, promoting capital efficiency and ensuring operational safety.

In addition, the issue of balancing medium and long-term loans from short-term capital sources of the banking system is also a big challenge. In fact, commercial banks mainly mobilize short-term capital, so the problem of ensuring liquidity and system safety is urgently posed.

The State Bank needs to coordinate closely with relevant ministries and branches such as the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Construction, and the Ministry of Science and Technology to review and clearly identify key projects and groups of enterprises that really need to access this preferential credit package. Relevant ministries and branches can clarify the list of priority investment projects, the ratio of state capital and socialization; accurately identify the subjects, scope, and clear investment plans, at least needing to have estimated data close to reality. From there, the State Bank and commercial banks can calculate and balance capital sources so that the credit package goes in the right direction.

"This credit package is a support policy, but if there is a lack of synchronization between state budget capital and credit capital, the consequence is that the entire banking system will be pushed into a high-risk situation. Therefore, there needs to be close, timely, and highly responsible coordination between ministries and branches so that the credit package can be truly effective. Providing preferential loans for infrastructure projects with a term of 5 to 10 years requires flexible coordination, while complying with the principles of credit system safety. In addition, participating banks need to clearly publicize the preferential interest rate as well as the application period. The program is expected to be disbursed until 2030 or until all disbursements are completed," said Deputy Governor of the State Bank Dao Minh Tu.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/goi-tin-dung-500-000-ty-dong-uu-tien-doanh-nghiep-dau-tu-ha-tang-va-cong-nghe-ngan-hang-vao-cuoc-manh-me-705066.html