Nordic enterprises front and centre to offer support

Home Credit leapt into action this summer to help local communities

Annica Witschard, CEO of Nordcham member Home Credit Vietnam, emphasised that the company is proud not just to do business in Vietnam but also to be a vital part of thriving communities. “When the most recent pandemic wave hit, we wanted to do whatever we could and help Vietnam to weather this storm.”

As a result, Home Credit picked up the Best Initiative to Support Vietnam During the Fourth Wave of COVID-19 accolade at the Nordic Business Awards 2021, which took place in October.

“Now that lockdowns are ending and normal life is starting to resume, I am pleased that our own contribution has been recognised and hope that we can now look forward to more growth and success in the future,” Witschard said.

Along with maintaining appropriate business operations, Nordic companies are also supporting the health and wellbeing of employees and families during the pandemic.

One notable case is Orana Vietnam, which received the award for Best Management Initiative to Support Workers and Families at the Nordic Business Awards. While many companies have had to temporarily suspend recruitment, Orana continues to pay full salaries for its employees.

“Our staff are the heart of our business. When our team is engaged, enthused, and empowered in their jobs, our business will grow. Therefore, supporting our workers and their families during these difficult times is not just good corporate citizenship; it is a long-term investment for the success of our enterprise,” said general director Le Trinh Thao. “I am delighted that NordCham has recognised our efforts, and I hope this can inspire others to innovate and invest in their own workforce.”

The top winners at the awards ceremony received a cash prize of around $900, which each winner agreed to donate to charity.

In addition, to ensure the physical and mental health of employees, some companies also provide regular COVID-19 testing services, vaccinate all employees, and organise online yoga classes or workshops with medical professionals.

NordCham chairman Thue Quist Thomasen explained, “Nordic companies are known as sustainable investors, reliable partners, and good corporate citizens. Some of our members have been in Vietnam for decades, making long-term commitments to their staff, companies, and communities. Therefore, despite the difficulties of the pandemic, Nordic companies stepped up and supported Vietnam during these challenging times.”

Thomasen said that figures from the latest Eurocham Business Climate Index released in November display confidence in the prospects for Vietnam’s business environment, which has seen a small but encouraging rise. Some companies, however, remain a little more hesitant when it comes to their own operations.

“This suggests that business leaders are waiting to see how conditions and regulations in the new context unfold before making significant commitments in terms of investment projects or recruitment plans,” Thomasen said. “Nevertheless, the latest data should give us grounds for cautious optimism in the months ahead. With the recent policies of the government of Vietnam, most foreign investors are still optimistic about the business and investment environment of the country.”