Vietnam Could Transform into Southeast Asia's Impact Investing Hub
Impact investing is an investment by companies, organizations, and funds that aims to create a positive, measurable social and environmental impact alongside financial returns that play an important role in driving investment to develop social and environmental goals.
On the morning of October 24, 2024, at the Vietnam Impact Investment Forum 2024 with the theme "Promoting impact investment for a sustainable future" co-organized by the Impact Investment Exchange Fund in cooperation with the Department of Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and the Vietnam Federation of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), in addition to the launch of the Impact Investment Index Report (Orange Index), delegates had in-depth discussions on impact investment in Vietnam, introducing innovative financial solutions to unlock the great potential of impact-creating businesses in Vietnam...
Mr. Shawn Steil - Canadian Ambassador to Vietnam - emphasized Canada's commitment to promoting impact investment in Vietnam.
“Canada’s development cooperation program is helping to attract private capital to support sustainable and inclusive development in Vietnam. Through our partnership with the IIX Fund and VCCI, we are working to improve the investment readiness of impact businesses in Vietnam, especially women-owned businesses, to attract private capital and empower disadvantaged communities to address social and environmental issues,” said Shawn Steil.
Vietnam leads the wave of inclusive growth in ASEAN
The Orange Index is a groundbreaking measurement tool that measures countries’ progress towards a sustainable and inclusive future. This report is part of a four-year series tracking the development of the impact investing ecosystem in Vietnam.
“We are delighted to launch the Orange Index in Vietnam, an economy that is poised to lead the next wave of sustainable and inclusive growth in ASEAN,” said Professor Durreen Shahnaz, CEO and Founder of the IIX Foundation.
The Vietnam Orange Index 2024 scored 50 points, placing Vietnam among the leading ASEAN countries, surpassing the global average of 41. Vietnam has made significant progress in the field of gender equality with 49 points, higher than the global average and surpassing most countries in the ASEAN region.
However, challenges remain in the area of environmental sustainability, with Vietnam scoring only 43 points, indicating areas where specific interventions are needed, particularly in waste management, water conservation and soil health.
Dr. Luong Minh Huan - Director of the Institute for Enterprise Development at VCCI - commented: "Vietnam's social impact enterprises are playing an important role in promoting social and environmental goals".
