Door open to top jobs for women
HA NOI — Many businesswomen in Viet Nam have top positions in trade and production companies, thanks to government support, says Ha Thi Khiet, president of the Viet Nam Women’s Union.
Some 30 per cent of leadership positions in 90,000 enterprises are held by women, she said.
Industries such as garment and textiles, footwear, food and drink processing and hotel services employ a large percentage of women, said Khiet, who spoke in Ha Noi on Wednesday at a meeting of 179 of the country’s most talented businesswomen.
"In an attempt to protect women’s rights and interests, with a view to improving their lives as well as their social, political and economic positions, the nation has issued various policies and programmes that encourage and provide women with more opportunities to participate in business," she said.
At the meeting, the union awarded congratulation certificates to the attendees.
Recognised at the meeting was Mai Kieu Lien, general director of the State-owned Vietnam Dairy Products Company (Vinamilk), who is considered to be one of the most successful and knowledgeable businesswomen in the country. She is credited with making her company a leader in the food and drink processing industry.
Now one of the largest enterprises in the dairy industry, Vinamilk with the Saigon Milk Joint Stock Company have opened a new factory in HCM City’s Tan Thoi Hiep Industry Park. The factory will produce a wide choice of fresh milk and drinking yoghurt products.
"This is the first dairy factory in the country that is closely aligned with the farmers," Lien said.
The VND163 billion factory will be able to process up to 25 million litres of fresh milk and drinking yoghurt annually. Production lines will process milk, package products and make and print packages.
Two other female directors noted for their savvy business skills are Ho Thi Kim Thoa of Dien Quang Lamps Company and Tran Thi Duong of Phong Phu Textile Company. Their enterprises are considered leaders in production capability and efficiency. "Vietnamese women’s roles and their positions in the family and the society have improved considerably in recent years. However, they are still struggling for true equality with men in trading positions," Khiet said.
Women need to improve their knowledge and skills, and find a way to share the heavy burden of housework with their families so they can become more successful, she added.
"We are trying to ask the Government to give businesswomen special support programmes to encourage and support them in their work," she said. In addition to the award, the union has mapped out a four-year plan to support businesswomen by focusing on training, consultation, market and credit information.
To give them opportunities to network and share expertise, the union has planned to set up a club for businesswomen. It is also organising conferences dedicated to resolving issues in the workplace. Khiet said the union will continuously act as a bridge between the Government and business, updating members regularly on policies and legal regulations. — VNS
Hats off to women
HA NOI — Women-run businesses get a chance to put a feather in their caps if they’re deemed recipients of the Golden Conical Hat, a new award to be handed out next year by the Viet Nam Women’s Union.
Union chairwoman Ha Thi Khiet said profitable businesses, run by women and staffing at least 70 per cent women will qualify for the new award. She said the group was still finalising criteria, but that businesses should have some prestige within the community.
Khiet predicted a number of businesses could take the honour, as firms such as Vinamilk, Thuong Dinh Footwear, Hau Giang Pharmaceutical and Phong Phu Textile already meet the criteria. — VNS
