Dong Thap strengthens orientation, helps workers start businesses

Fear of capital

With the motto “Go work for hire and come back to be your own boss”, over the past 10 years, Dong Thap province has sent about 15,000 workers abroad to work for a limited period. Policy breakthroughs not only help workers save money and gain jobs, but also foster an entrepreneurial spirit when they return to their hometowns.

A typical example is the case of Mr. Tran Duc Toan (Lai Vung district). After nearly 8 years working in Japan, experiencing 2 industries: construction and car maintenance, he accumulated capital and returned to his hometown to open an auto garage. Up to now, his average income is over 15 million VND/month.

“I have created some capital for myself, not much but enough for me to return to my hometown and start a business. Currently, in addition to owning a facility specializing in washing and maintaining all kinds of cars, I also take on construction projects in the field of interior decoration from walls, ceilings to flooring,” Toan excitedly said.

However, not everyone can be bold and independent in starting a business due to many different factors, such as the case of Mr. Tran Ngoc Duy (Cao Lanh City). Mr. Duy confided that his idea was to open a store to buy, sell, repair, and install household electricity and refrigeration. However, what he was still worried about and afraid of was the procedures for opening a business, paying taxes, how to manage, finding customers in the beginning, and renting premises.

"I really hope to receive support from professional agencies to promote my experience and skills, and confidently start a business" - Mr. Duy shared.

Enhance orientation and support

According to statistics from the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs (DOLISA) of Dong Thap province, nearly 5,000 laborers working abroad under contracts have generated foreign currency revenue of more than VND1,200 billion per year for the province. However, according to the perception, the coordination of information declaration upon returning home is still loose, causing barriers to supporting startups.

Sen Dai Duong Company Limited (a company specializing in consulting - training - supplying interns, introducing engineers to work in Japan) proposed a number of solutions such as: Using intern management software to track the time of contract completion of employees; contacting the Union to confirm that interns have completed their contracts and returned home; local authorities directing all levels to go to residential groups to check cases when receiving reports from businesses.

In fact, in recent times, Dong Thap province has had many policies and support programs for businesses and startups in many fields, including maximum loans for individuals of 300 million VND; groups of individuals of 500 million VND; and businesses of 1 billion VND.

Mr. Mai Thanh Nghi - Director of the Center for Supporting Enterprises and Startups in Dong Thap province - said: "Dong Thap provincial government will create connections in business associations, with the mindset that large leading enterprises will accompany young entrepreneurs from the fledgling stage to the next stage of development. Young workers should be confident in being their own boss to develop their lives more, worthy of being a citizen of the Land of Red Lotus - love - dynamism - creativity".