The Vietnam Association of People’s Credit Funds (VAPCF) organised its congress in Hanoi on January 25 to develop its tasks for 2008.

Addressing the event, VAPCF Vice President and General Secretary, Nguyen Duc Dung, said that in recent years, the Association has made remarkable contributions to ensuring the sustainable development of the whole system. The association has played an important role in strengthening cooperation among socio-economic organisations and helping its members develop. It also organised training courses to increase its members’ capacity and achieve sustainable economic development in the integration process.

By 2007, the VAPCF had nearly 1,000 units, and the Central People’s Credit Fund had 24 branches in provinces and cities.

By November 30, 2007, the people’s credit funds attracted more than VND13,158 billion, up 40 percent compared to the previous year. The funds provided VND12,339 billion in total for its members to help them develop production, run business and generate jobs.

In 2008, the Association will focus on expanding its network in provinces and cities, implementing an information technology with assistance from the people’s credit funds and providing its members with consultancy advice on legal issues, management work and accountancy.

On the occasion, the VAPCF presented the Bong Lua Vang (Golden Rice) award to four directors of the Central People’s Credit Fund’s branches and 11 managers of the VAPCF who have made great contributions to the Association’s development.