(VOVworld)-Having coffee with business people in the morning has become a routine for Quang Ninh’s provincial leaders. This practice has helped Quang Ninh rank among the top localities in Vietnam in investment attraction and the Provincial Competitiveness Index. 

A café overlooking Ha Long Bay gets very crowded in the morning. Customers include the Chairman of the Quang Ninh provincial People's Committee, his deputies, leaders of agencies, and scores of businessmen. This “business coffee” session enables an open dialogue between local administrators and the business community to iron out difficulties. 

“Entrepreneurs often feel hesitant, even cautious, when working with officials in Government offices. A working breakfast like this creates an intimate and open atmosphere for both sides to frankly discuss issues of mutual concern”, said Pham Van The, President of the Quang Ninh Business Association.

An overview of Quang Ninh (Source: quangninh.gov.vn)

A morning coffee break is an excellent opportunity for representatives of small and medium enterprises and startups to seek direct support from top local leaders, something harder to do at formal meetings and conferences. 

“At such a coffee session, I can share our opinions with provincial leaders and get their immediate feedback. It’s really helpful for startups like us”, said Le Van Hanh, director of a construction firm.

Business coffee sessions also provide an opportunity for local leaders to seek the business community’s advice and recommendations. 

“A working breakfast not only helps businesses but also collects their ideas and suggestions for improving our policies”, said Vu Thi Kim Chi, Deputy Head of the provincial Investment Promotion and Support Board.

In 2016, Quang Ninh attracted 1.4 billion USD in investment capital and ranked third in Vietnam’s Provincial Competitive Index. The number of new businesses increased 12% to 1,600 with a combined registered capital of 500 million USD.