With the support and attention given to businesses, cooperatives are developing more and more.

The Provincial People's Committee issued documents on supporting small and medium-sized enterprises in Son La province until 2025; developing the private economy into an important driving force of the socialist-oriented market economy; some key policies and solutions to support businesses in proactively adapting, recovering quickly and developing sustainably; supporting the completion of pilot cooperatives participating in the Project on selecting, perfecting, and replicating effective new-style cooperative models in the period 2021 - 2025 in Son La province.

In addition, the province will promote solutions to support production and export development for businesses and cooperatives in Son La; coordinate with the Department of Enterprise Development - Ministry of Planning and Investment through the USAID's LinkSME Project to organize a training program on "Strategic Thinking and Digital Transformation Journey for Businesses" in Son La province; report to the Department of Enterprise Development - Ministry of Planning and Investment on the results of supporting small and medium-sized enterprises in the first eight months of the year and projections for the whole year 2023; and propose a plan to support small and medium-sized enterprises in 2024 and the period 2024-2026.

Credit institutions in the province continue to cut operating costs and reduce profit targets to implement measures to support customers affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, as stipulated by the State Bank of Vietnam. Interest rate support from the state budget, in accordance with the policy in Government Decree No. 31/2022/ND-CP dated May 20, 2022, has been provided to 5 customers. As of October 19, 2023, the cumulative outstanding loan balance eligible for interest rate support is estimated at VND 9,910 million, with VND 15 million already subsidized.

Implementing policies to exempt and reduce taxes to support businesses affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. The total cumulative tax exemptions and reductions up to the end of October 2023 are estimated at over 303 billion VND. Specifically: Reduction of environmental protection tax according to Resolution No. 30/2022/UBTVQH15 dated December 30, 2022 of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly on gasoline, oil, and lubricants, with an estimated reduction of 102 billion VND; Reduction of 30% of land and water surface lease fees in 2022 according to Decision No. 01/2023/QĐ-TTg dated January 31, 2023 of the Prime Minister, with a reduction of 22.3 billion VND in land and water surface lease fees; Extending the deadline for paying value-added tax, corporate income tax, personal income tax, and land rent according to Government Decree No. 12/2023/ND-CP dated April 14, 2023, with the amount of tax extended estimated at VND 150 billion; Reducing the registration fee by 50% for domestically produced and assembled automobiles according to Government Decree No. 41/2023/ND-CP dated June 28, 2023, with the amount of registration fee reduction for domestically produced and assembled automobiles estimated at over VND 29 billion.

In the coming period, the province will continue to create a favorable environment to promote production and business; develop information technology, gradually implement e-government and improve online public services to serve people and businesses anytime, anywhere. Focus on implementing plans, tasks, and solutions to improve the investment and business environment; strengthen dialogue and remove difficulties for businesses. Create favorable conditions for innovative startups in the new situation; continue to refine mechanisms and policies to attract resources for innovative startup activities; encourage private economic sectors and resources within the province to participate in the support network and provide services for innovative startups.

Le Hong