The Global Competitiveness Facility for Vietnamese Enterprises (GCF) is a grants facility funded by DANIDA for 5 years (2006 to 2010) with the aim of improving the competitiveness of the Vietnamese private sector by improving enterprises' access to information, business services and interest representation. GCF’s board is chaired by Mr. Do Van Hai, who is Vice Director of Agency for Small and Medium Enterprise Development (ASMED). In addition to Mr. Hai, GCF’s board consists of Ms. Doan Thi Huu Nghi from Vietnam Young Entrepreneurs Association, the Danish Ambassador to Vietnam, Mr. Peter Lysholt Hansen.
During the first 3 years of implementation, GCF has played an important role in the development of national institutions that provide information and interest representation of the Vietnamese business sectors with focus on international markets. Apart from providing support to Business Associations for conducting policy advocacy activities, GCF is contributing to competitiveness of Vietnamese exports through building the capacity of the Business Development Service Providers. Till date GCF has supported a total of 96 projects including 4 projects in National Business and Trade Initiative, 29 projects with Business Associations and 63 projects with Business Development Service providers in various sectors such as Aquaculture, Bamboo & Rattan, Fisheries, Flower, Handicrafts, Tea, Tourism, Vegetables etc., and committed grants of over VND 115 billion to be used before the end of 2010.
During the period 2009 to 2010, the focus will be on securing that the approved projects result in sustainable long-term benefits to the Vietnamese business sector in general and ensure that the target group of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) are capable of responding to the fast changing economic situation in the global markets. Further the learning experiences from GCF support in terms of replicable innovative business models will be shared with the business community of Vietnam.

Click here to see the full list of 'Funded Projects'