The value chain for key coconut products is increasingly developing thanks to the leading businesses in the province playing a "leading" role.
Spreading the entrepreneurial spirit
One of the province's outstanding achievements in the first quarter of 2025 was the continued strong spread of the entrepreneurial spirit within the community. Departments, agencies, and socio-political organizations actively implemented communication and education activities on entrepreneurship and supported innovative startups.
Media programs such as the Ben Tre Provincial Women's Union's collaboration with Ben Tre Radio and Television Station to produce the regularly broadcast "For the Development of Women" segment, or the forum "Improving Scientific Research Capacity" at Ben Tre College, have contributed to fostering an entrepreneurial spirit among all social strata, especially young people and women.
The 7th "Students and Young Entrepreneurs with Startup Ideas" competition also achieved positive results with 25 projects recognized at the provincial level, including one project that reached the national final round - a testament to the maturity of the new generation of entrepreneurs.
In addition, training and development of human resources for entrepreneurship have also been promoted. The Department of Education and Training has incorporated entrepreneurship content into the local education program from grades 6 to 12, while vocational education institutions have trained over 700 students and awarded graduation certificates to nearly 230 people in the quarter.
Regarding support policies, the province has disbursed funds to 8 startup projects and ideas totaling 38 million VND, bringing the total number of supported projects from 2021 to date to 20 projects with 72 million VND. Simultaneously, connecting with organizations and startup mentors, expanding the network of experts, and maintaining investment promotion organizations at the district and commune levels have helped increase cohesion throughout the entire ecosystem.
The Mekong Innovation Hub continues to play a central role in innovation and entrepreneurship, supporting 4 projects/businesses on a regular basis and providing over 60 instances of infrastructure support, bringing the total number of businesses supported since 2021 to 25.
Promoting business development
Production activities at Luong Quoi Coconut Processing Co., Ltd. - one of the leading enterprises in the province.
As of the first quarter of 2025, the province had 194 newly established enterprises and 99 affiliated units with a total registered capital of over 740 billion VND, representing a 73.21% increase in the number of enterprises and a 111.86% increase in capital compared to the same period last year. This is a positive sign showing that the province's investment and business environment is gradually improving, facilitating capital flows and encouraging entrepreneurship.
During the quarter, the province also recorded 41 start-up businesses, reaching 30.6% of the annual plan; and 1 household business converted into a company, bringing the total number of converted households from 2021 to date to 180, reaching 12% of the plan.
As of mid-March 2025, the province had 6,818 businesses, of which more than 4,200 were operational with a total registered capital of nearly 56 trillion VND. Outstanding loans to start-up businesses alone reached 150 billion VND, indicating a significant shift in credit towards this dynamic economic sector.
In particular, Ben Tre is aggressively implementing a plan to build 100 leading enterprises, with 22 enterprises currently identified as leading groups and 50 enterprises belonging to the leading source group. These enterprises play a "locomotive" role, leading the development of value chains for key products such as coconut, seafood, green pomelo, durian, etc.
Trade promotion and brand building support are also prioritized by the province. During the quarter, the province successfully organized trade fairs and promotional programs in Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho, and Hong Kong; and supported the protection of the "Green Siamese Coconut" and "Green-skinned Pomelo" trademarks in Canada, opening up opportunities for Ben Tre agricultural products to reach international markets.
In addition, the province recognized 7 more OCOP products achieving 3 stars or higher, bringing the total number of OCOP-certified products to 357 from 187 businesses. This is evidence of the province's strategy for developing high-value, sustainable agriculture.
Simultaneously, digital transformation and circular economy development programs are also being strongly implemented. The Bentretrade.vn e-commerce platform has been upgraded to support local businesses in promoting their products, while new businesses are also being supported in accessing digital platforms, information technology, and e-commerce workforce training.
According to the Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, Nguyen Truc Son, in the second quarter of 2025, the province will continue to promote entrepreneurship communication, educate on the spirit of entrepreneurship, and expand regional and international cooperation and linkages. Policies encouraging the conversion of household businesses into enterprises will continue to be implemented, focusing on training in business management, business skills, and market connections.
With the spirit of a "new uprising," and the concerted efforts from the government to the business community, Ben Tre is gradually asserting its position as a "fertile ground" for entrepreneurship and sustainable development.
| According to data from the Provincial People's Committee, capital support activities in the province have developed safely and stably, fully and promptly meeting the credit needs for production and business. By the end of the first quarter of 2025, the amount of loans disbursed in the quarter reached VND 24,500 billion, an increase of 8.7% compared to the same period last year; outstanding loans reached VND 68,800 billion, an increase of 2.0% compared to the beginning of the year; loans to enterprises in the quarter were estimated at VND 6,700 billion, accounting for 27% of total loans in the province; outstanding loans to enterprises were estimated at VND 16,500 billion, an increase of 1.8% compared to the beginning of the year, accounting for 24% of total outstanding loans in the province, of which outstanding loans to start-up enterprises were estimated at VND 150 billion. |
Text and photos: Thach Thao
Source: https://baodongkhoi.vn/ket-qua-noi-bat-tu-chuong-trinh-dong-khoi-khoi-nghiep-quy-i-2025-14042025-a145160.html
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