Enhancing support and advisory effectiveness for collective economy development

(ĐN)- Dong Nai stands out as a leading locality in developing the collective economy and cooperatives. Alongside the efforts of cooperatives, the province has rolled out various support programs, including training, credit loans, trade promotion, and legal policy consultancy.

Staff from Dong Nai Cooperative Development Fund collaborated with Trang Bom Farmers’ Association to survey loan demand in collective economy sector in Trang Bom district.

Over the past five years, the Dong Nai Cooperative Alliance, led by Chairman Do Phuoc Dung, has proactively devised phased plans and regularly reviewed policies to remove obstacles and foster sustainable growth for the collective economy. In 2024 alone, the alliance organized eight training courses for 467 participants and collaborated on 12 additional workshops to improve skills and knowledge. It also facilitated 20 cooperatives in participating in national trade fairs in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City and supported connections with Eastern Southeast provinces and Central regions to boost product consumption through supermarkets and e-commerce platforms.

Financially, Tran Quoc Huy, director of the Dong Nai Cooperatives Development Fund, reported that by November 30, loan disbursements reached 67.6 billion VND, surpassing 113% of the annual plan. The fund expects to achieve 116% of the 2024 target, with outstanding loans increasing by 231% year-on-year. Furthermore, the Cooperative Alliance has partnered with the Social Policy Bank’s Dong Nai branch to expand preferential credit access for cooperatives, focusing on employment generation in the collective sector. According to bank director Le Ba Chuyen, the success of lending hinges on understanding each cooperative's production and business needs, emphasizing coordinated responsibility among stakeholders.

Despite these efforts, challenges remain. Do Phuoc Dung notes that the newly enacted Cooperative Law 2023 and Decree 113/2024 set higher standards for advisory and support activities, requiring tailored solutions to ensure cooperatives operate effectively and legally. Looking ahead to 2025-2030, the Dong Nai Cooperative Alliance aims to strengthen its representative role, protect members’ rights, and enhance service quality—focusing on workforce training, science and technology support, trade promotion, market expansion, consultancy, and digital transformation.

Similarly, Tran Quoc Huy acknowledges existing policy gaps and coordination issues that limit support effectiveness. To optimize access to preferential credit and development resources, concerted efforts from borrowers, lenders, government agencies, and socio-political organizations are essential.

Reported by V. Gia