Connecting businesses from the grassroots

Thai Nguyen is creating a turning point in local economic development when businesses and the government "connect" from the grassroots. After operating the 2-level local government model, the province has improved management efficiency and simultaneously established commune and ward business associations, becoming forums for connecting, sharing, cooperating, and promoting sustainable development of the business community. This is an important step forward in supporting the private economic sector, contributing to concretizing the policy of "private economy is an important driving force of the economy" into practice.

Tan Duc and Luong Phu - Tan Duc Industrial Cluster (Kha Son Commune) is speeding up infrastructure construction progress, when completed it will create more jobs for local workers. Photo TL

Local economic pillar

For a long time, the business sector has been considered one of the main drivers of socio-economic growth in Thai Nguyen . In each locality, from large enterprises to small businesses, all contribute to creating jobs, increasing budget revenue and promoting trade and service development.

Realizing that role, authorities at all levels always consider supporting and creating conditions for enterprises to develop as a key task. In the opposite direction, enterprises are also expected to accompany the government, contributing to improving people's lives and realizing sustainable development goals in each commune and ward.

A typical example is A My Minh Long Thai Nguyen Co., Ltd., a construction materials business unit in Picenza urban area, Linh Son ward. After the recent historic storm No. 11, the Company's store was heavily flooded, and goods were almost completely lost. Thanks to the timely support of the government, the ward's Business Association and the spirit of internal solidarity, after only one month, the Company restored production and business.

Mr. Nguyen Duc Binh, Director of the Company, shared: The recent storm was a big challenge, but thanks to the care and support of the government and the Ward Business Association, we were able to quickly stabilize our operations again. This is a testament to the strength of the partnership between businesses and the government in all circumstances.

Representatives of Phan Dinh Phung Ward Business Association grasp the business operations after the flood caused by storm No. 11.

Such cases show that the spirit of solidarity and sharing between local authorities and the business community is becoming a strong “glue”. When difficulties arise, the two sides do not stand alone, but “join forces” from the grassroots, together overcome challenges, share resources, and aim for sustainable socio-economic development.

Ward and commune business associations - "bridges" for development

Previously, many small businesses and households often operated independently, lacked information channels, and had difficulty reporting problems to management agencies. When the two-level government model was implemented, the need for connection and cooperation became more urgent. Since then, many localities have established voluntary and autonomous commune-level Business Associations, creating conditions for businesses and households to participate and closely coordinate with local authorities to promote local economic development.

Phan Dinh Phung Ward Business Association is one of the typical models. With more than 200 members out of a total of more than 1,200 businesses in the area, although newly established, the Association has quickly affirmed its role in connecting, cooperating and supporting each other. During the recent floods, the members stood side by side with the government, helping people overcome the consequences, restore production and business, and actively contributed to the budget and social security activities.

Mr. Pham Van Quang, Chairman of the Ward Business Association, said: The policy of establishing the Association after merging 7 wards has helped connect businesses with the government, creating a forum for cooperation and effective response to natural disasters.

With flexible membership fees, suitable for even small businesses, Phan Dinh Phung Ward Business Association aims to connect, accompany and support potential business households to develop into enterprises; at the same time, aiming to form a business association union between wards and communes, expand cooperation, share experiences and spread the spirit of sustainable development.

The program “Business Coffee – Connecting, Sharing” in Van Xuan ward creates a space for business representatives to meet, exchange and share experiences, promoting the development of the local business community.

Another model is the Van Xuan Ward Business Association, which successfully organized the program "Business Coffee - Connecting, Sharing" just over a month after its establishment. The meeting was attended by the Party Secretary and Chairman of the Ward People's Committee, helping the government directly listen to and resolve difficulties for businesses. Mr. Vuong Quoc Ngoc, Vice Chairman of the Association, said: The program is an opportunity to exchange experiences and a space to encourage the spirit of cooperation, mutual support, and create sustainable development opportunities for the business community.

According to the Provincial Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, up to now, 6 communes and wards have had Business Associations, about 70-80% of communes and wards have established advocacy committees, forming a network connecting businesses, promoting experience sharing and cooperation in production and business. This model is not only the "common voice" of the business community but also becomes a "bridge" for the government to accompany and remove difficulties, towards the goal of 100% of communes and wards having Business Associations by the end of 2025.

Not only playing a connecting role, grassroots business associations are also becoming the nucleus to spread the spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation. Many young enterprises and individual business households, through the activities of the Association, have boldly expanded their scale, participated in the supply chain, and gradually formed a professional and sustainable production mindset. This is an important factor in forming a dynamic team of local enterprises, capable of adapting in the context of the digital economy.

Accompanying in building a sustainable grassroots economy

Grassroots business associations are both a connection point and a two-way information channel between the government and the business community. The establishment of associations helps the government to promptly grasp the production situation and support businesses more effectively.

Yen Lac Industrial Cluster (Phu Luong Commune) has a scale of 25.6 hectares, located next to the Thai Nguyen - Cho Moi Expressway, and is being accelerated in implementation progress. Photo: TL

In Quyet Thang ward, the Business Association has just been established with more than 60 members, operating under the motto "Accompanying - Developing - Contributing". The Association focuses on solving difficulties, contributing ideas to build policies, and participating in social security activities, promoting education and talent. Vice Chairman of the Ward People's Committee Nguyen Duc Nhat affirmed: Enterprises are an important force in socio-economic development. The government always identifies supporting enterprises as a key task and hopes that enterprises will continue to accompany and join hands for common development.

Similarly, the Tich Luong Ward Business Association effectively plays the role of a “bridge” when gathering business opinions and reflecting on problems so that the government can reform procedures, reduce barriers, and build a transparent investment environment. Mr. Nguyen Cong Nghiep, Chairman of the Association, shared: Previously, businesses operated individually, and when facing difficulties, they often had to deal with them on their own. Now, through the Association, businesses have a common voice, are supported, and are united to develop together.

In the coming time, grassroots business associations will promote digital transformation, promote products, link supply chains, and at the same time link business activities with social responsibility, taking advantage of the "new wind" from Resolution 68-NQ/TW to expand the direction of sustainable development. Along with that, training in management skills, supporting startups, connecting banks and providing legal advice for members are also being considered, helping small businesses have more foundations for stable development.

The 1st Congress of Pho Yen Ward Business Association, term 2025-2030.

In fact, the establishment of commune and ward business associations has opened a new direction for the Thai Nguyen grassroots economy. When businesses unite, the government accompanies, and the people support, economic vitality from the grassroots becomes a strong driving force to build Thai Nguyen into a sustainable, civilized and modern development. Ward and commune business associations are both a place to connect production and business, and a vivid demonstration of the spirit of "community - companionship - development".

From supporting each other after natural disasters to connecting and sharing experiences, these organizations are gradually forming a dynamic, cohesive and sustainable grassroots business ecosystem, contributing to the strong development of Thai Nguyen's economy.

With that development momentum, Thai Nguyen is showing a development model "from the root", taking enterprises as the center, taking localities as the foundation and taking companionship as the driving force. When the "connection" between the government and enterprises is firmly built from the base, the resilience of the local economy will be stronger, contributing to realizing the aspiration of building Thai Nguyen into an industrial province in the direction of modernity, civilization and livability.

According to the draft Decree on model working regulations of the People's Committee at the commune level proposed by the Ministry of Home Affairs , the People's Committee at the commune level must create favorable conditions for enterprises, organizations and individuals to invest, produce and do business in the area.

The goal is to build a safe and fair investment environment, contributing to promoting local socio-economic development. In case of problems beyond the authority to resolve, the Commune People's Committee must promptly report to the competent authority for consideration and handling.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/kinh-te/202511/ket-noi-doanh-nghiep-tu-co-so-a934082/