Strengthening the capacity of women entrepreneurs, supporting business development and expanding market access were among the key topics discussed at a meeting between a delegation from the Vietnam Women’s Union (VWU) and Tinh Thuong Microfinance Institution (TYM) and the International Trade Centre (ITC) and its SheTrades Initiative in Geneva, Switzerland, in early September 2026.
The delegation was led by Ms. Tran Lan Phuong, Standing Vice President of the VWU and a member of the 16th National Assembly. It was received by Ms. Judith Fessehaie, Head of ITC SheTrades and representatives of ITC and SheTrades. The two sides discussed ITC programmes currently being implemented in Viet Nam, SheTrades activities and opportunities to connect relevant resources and programmes with the VWU’s work supporting women.
At the meeting, Ms. Tran Lan Phuong noted that the VWU is implementing a wide range of activities to support women’s entrepreneurship, livelihood development, production and business, and economic empowerment. Based on this experience, the Union is interested in providing deeper support to women with promising projects and business models, helping them strengthen management capacity, apply technology, professionalize their operations and gradually expand into new markets. This approach closely aligns with SheTrades’ work to support women in business through capacity building and improved access to finance, technology and markets.
Ms. Tran Lan Phuong proposed that the two sides explore opportunities to connect selected SheTrades programmes and resources with the VWU’s activities supporting women, including the Women’s Entrepreneurship Competition. Such cooperation could help women with promising projects and business models strengthen management capacity, apply technology, develop their businesses and gradually access markets.
ITC/SheTrades representatives highly appreciated the VWU’s activities and expressed their readiness to share relevant resources, including Vietnamese-language training modules for women in business. The two sides agreed to maintain their connection, further define areas of mutual interest and explore opportunities for cooperation in supporting women’s entrepreneurship and business development.
