Decree 45 takes effect from May 15, 2021, in which, Clause 5, Article 58, stipulates: "For cooperative funds established and operating before the effective date of this Decree: within a maximum of 3 years from the effective date of this Decree, cooperative funds must review and reorganize...". However, up to now, the reorganization of the operation of established funds and newly established funds in provinces and cities without funds is very slow. Specifically: before Decree 45 was issued, in addition to the Vietnam Cooperative Development Support Fund, there were 50 provinces and cities nationwide that established cooperative development support funds. However, the organization and operation of local funds are very different due to the lack of a unified legal framework. In addition to the current central fund, the total operating capital is 1,000 billion VND; As of September 30, 2023, the total operating capital of 50 local funds is VND 2,596 billion, of which 27/50 funds have operating capital below the level prescribed by Decree 45 (VND 20 billion). Implementing Decree 45, up to now, 11/50 established funds have had decisions to adjust or dissolve to establish funds according to Decree 45; 39 provinces and cities have not yet reorganized the fund's operations according to the provisions of the Decree. Of the 13 provinces and cities that had not established funds before Decree 45 took effect, only 1 province has established a fund so far.

At the conference, delegates focused on clarifying difficulties and obstacles in the process of organizing and rearranging fund activities according to Decree 45; the current situation in localities that have not yet established funds; and sharing experiences of funds that have reorganized their activities.

Concluding the conference, Comrade Cao Xuan Thu Van, Secretary of the Party Committee, President of the Vietnam Cooperative Alliance affirmed that the Cooperative Development Support Fund is a state financial tool to support the development of collective economy and cooperatives; an important resource for the Vietnam Cooperative Alliance and provincial cooperative alliances to use to support the construction of production cooperative models associated with value chains and promote the development of collective economy and cooperatives in the area.

He requested the provincial and municipal cooperative alliances to review and adjust the detailed plan to implement Decree No. 45. For provinces and cities that have made decisions on establishment or reorganization, urgently develop and complete the charter, regulations, processes, and regulations on organization and management of activities, submit them to competent authorities for consideration, promulgation, and soon put the fund into operation under the new mechanism. The remaining provinces and cities proactively, actively, and urgently advise and propose the provincial People's Committee to soon issue a decision on new establishment or reorganization of activities, and supplement the charter capital to ensure a minimum of VND 20 billion/fund. The Vietnam Cooperative Alliance also proposed and recommended that ministries, branches, and central agencies study, amend, and supplement a number of regulations to ensure the cooperative development support fund operates smoothly and effectively.

Ngan Huyen