Dr. To Hoai Nam: Perfecting the institutions of the Industry and Trade sector helps businesses develop

In the period of 2021 - 2025, the international and regional situation has undergone profound changes, with rapid and complex developments. Along with that, events such as the Covid-19 pandemic have had a profound impact on all aspects of life, economy and society of countries. Domestically, the entire political system is focusing on implementing plans to rearrange and reorganize administrative organizations...

In that context, the work of building and perfecting institutions continues to play an important role in the state management process of the Ministry of Industry and Trade and has received attention and focus from the leaders of the Ministry and units. In the past 5 years, the number of documents submitted and issued has reached nearly 290 legal documents, contributing to the work of building and perfecting the country's institutions in the new era.

Dr. To Hoai Nam - General Secretary and Chairman of the Vietnam Association of Small and Medium Enterprises shared with reporters of the Industry and Trade Newspaper about the work of building and perfecting the legal system in the period of 2021 - 2025 of the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

*The work of building and perfecting laws by the Ministry of Industry and Trade has had a positive impact on the business and production environment. Illustrative photo*

Reducing the legal "gap"

- From the perspective of the Vietnam Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, what is your assessment of the work of building and perfecting the legal system of the Ministry of Industry and Trade in the period of 2021 - 2025?

Dr. To Hoai Nam : According to our observations, the work of building and perfecting the legal system of the Ministry of Industry and Trade has a number of outstanding points. First of all, the progress and quality of documents have been significantly improved. In particular, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has chaired the review, research, development and submission to the Government for submission to the National Assembly for approval of important laws that have a great impact on the socio-economy such as: Law on Petroleum 2022, Law on Protection of Consumer Rights 2023, Law on Electricity 2024, Law on Chemicals 2025; Law on Amending a number of articles of the Law on Economical and Efficient Use of Energy.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade has also demonstrated its responsibility in creating a legal corridor for a number of new areas. For example, the development of the E-Commerce Law Project shows a vision that is consistent with the digital economic trend, helping Vietnamese enterprises, Vietnamese goods and the legal framework not to be out of step.

Notably, the Ministry of Industry and Trade not only builds laws, but also builds decrees as the number of guiding circulars issued in 2025 triples. This shows high concentration, responsibility and improved working efficiency.

On the other hand, the development of a large volume of regulatory documents in a short period of time has special significance for the business community, especially small and medium enterprises. Accordingly, the initiative of the Ministry of Industry and Trade has helped reduce the legal "gap" and shorten the "policy lag".

- The Ministry of Industry and Trade is taking the lead in implementing major projects to improve the capacity of legal organizations according to Resolution No. 66-NQ/TW. In your opinion, what is the significance of this work in improving the quality and effectiveness of perfecting the laws of the Industry and Trade sector?

Dr. To Hoai Nam : The implementation of major projects to improve the capacity of legal organizations according to Resolution No. 66-NQ/TW on innovation in law-making and enforcement to meet the requirements of national development in the new era is very important. Because now, we need to perfect, consolidate and train legal personnel to meet new requirements in development. With that meaning, when the Ministry of Industry and Trade has a strong legal team with policy analysis skills, it will respond quickly to new issues such as digital economy, cross-border logistics, FTA commitments, green trade, etc.

At the same time, legal documents that are built more transparently will help the legal system become more stable. On the other hand, a more systematic process of building documents will reduce legal risks. This is what businesses really need, especially small and medium enterprises. For them, a clear and consistent legal system is a prerequisite for them to feel secure in investing and expanding production and business.

*Dr. To Hoai Nam - General Secretary and Chairman of the Vietnam Association of Small and Medium Enterprises*

Create an open legal environment that encourages innovation

- In the process of innovating legislative thinking, the Ministry of Industry and Trade focuses on reviewing and removing legal "bottlenecks", while perfecting regulations to serve digital transformation, green transformation, and innovation. In your opinion, how does this affect business operations?

Dr. To Hoai Nam : Regarding removing legal bottlenecks, promoting digital transformation and green transformation, we highly appreciate the recent orientation of the Ministry of Industry and Trade in renewing legislative thinking. This orientation is of great significance for creating an open legal environment, encouraging innovation. Especially promoting digital transformation and green transformation, which are two new growth drivers of the economy. In addition, the Ministry of Industry and Trade's focus on reviewing and removing legal "bottlenecks" contributes to reducing compliance costs and improving competitiveness for businesses.

In addition, reviewing and abolishing obstructive procedures will directly reduce costs for businesses, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that are under a lot of pressure from this issue. At the same time, the legislative innovation orientation of the Ministry of Industry and Trade is practical, meets the needs of businesses, contributes to creating a transparent and stable legal environment and supports business development and integration.

- In the coming time, in order to keep up with practical requirements as well as the effectiveness of state management, and meet the requirements of international integration, in what aspects should the work of perfecting the legal system of the Industry and Trade sector continue to be improved, sir?

Dr. To Hoai Nam : In order to improve the legal system in the Industry and Trade sector in the coming time, we think it is necessary to continue to proactively and promptly institutionalize the Party's new policies, especially in digital transformation, green economy, industrial development, circular economy, etc.

Along with that, improve the quality of policy impact assessment. Accordingly, management agencies need to consider impact assessment as a "mandatory filter", not a formality, and need to enhance the ability to respond quickly and flexibly to market fluctuations.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade is on the right track in institutional reform, demonstrating a high sense of responsibility. It is expected that, with a proactive, scientific and innovative approach in building and perfecting the legal system, the Industry and Trade sector will continue to make important contributions to economic development and improve the competitiveness of enterprises.

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