About R2E

The Ready to Export – R2E

The long-term goal of the R2E program is to enhance the capacity of Vietnamese SMEs (Small & Medium Enterprises) to become long term value chain partners of The Netherlands’ Foreign Direct Investors (FDI) and Multi National Enterprises (MNE) so that The Netherlands’ businesses will have reliable competitive Vietnamese SME trading partners.

The short-term goal of the R2E program is to help selected Vietnamese SME to be successful in their expansion, both internationally and as a value chain partner for FDI and MNE (Multi National Enterprises) companies. Up to 300 SMEs will initially participate in the training program, of which at minimum 90 and up to 150 SMEs will get additional mentoring & networking support over a period of 3 years (2022 to 2024).

Through this Program, Dutch Business Associate Vietnam (DBAV) can help to promote trade relationships between the Netherlands and Vietnam. DBAV will implement the project with support of some of the key partners such as:

  • ASSIST an NGO focusing on SME development, who will play project support role to DBAV and also design & deliver the trainings; and
  • Partner Universities & Business Support Organizations who will be trained as trainers & mentors who will continue to provide services to SME after the close of the project.

The program will be implemented over a period of 3 years, and in each year, the selected Vietnamese SME will go through one cycle of the 3 pillars described below, and based on lessons learnt in each year, modifications will be made to the project activities for implementation in the following year, so that the program is more adaptable to the actual needs of the SME and other implementation challenges.

The R2E Program will focus on supporting these sectors of Vietnamese SME which include:

  1. Food processing
  2. Aquaculture
  3. Agriculture
  4. Horticulture
  5. Textiles and garments
  6. Manufacturing

The R2E program will provide 3 types of services to the Vietnamese SME:

  1. Training
  2. Coaching
  3. Networking opportunities

Program Implementation Partners

Dutch Business Association Vietnam (DBAV) is a non-profit organization with the mission to build bridges between The Netherlands and Vietnam.

ASSIST is an international non-profit implementing projects in Vietnam since 2007. ASSIST has implemented several SME capacity development programs in Vietnam.

Program Details

The full learning program takes 8 months to complete from April to December.
The First Pillar: Training (Start: May 12th)

Training will be provided by experienced experts through both on- and offline classroom trainings. The R2E program will provide training on about 10 different courses which will be in the following 3 categories:

  • Personal skills to do business with European MNE;
  • Quality & Sustainability requirements to do business with European MNE;
  • Technical Developments & Innovation. The program will train about 3000 people from 300 different SME over a period of 3 years. Each year the program will organize 20 classes, 10 classes in the north region (Hanoi) and 10 classes in the south region (Ho Chi Minh City).
The Second Pillar: Mentoring

R2E program will provide one-on-one coaching services designed to a Vietnamese SME’s needs, and is delivered through experts from the Dutch Business Association (DBAV) member companies. About 150 shortlisted SME, about 50 each year will receive one on one coaching services. Each SME will get a support of about 2 hours per month of coaching support over a period of 8 months – approximately 16 hours of coaching per SME.

The Third Pillar: Networking

As part of the networking services, DBAV will provide access to its network, for the Vietnamese SME who are shortlisted to receive coaching services. The SME will have access to participate in all networking events of the DBAV events in Vietnam. DBAV will connect potential Dutch companies to the participating SMEs throughout the calendar year, and support by identifying opportunities and deals. The DBAV program team will try to close trade deals during the project duration and also continue to support the participating SME in successful trade deals which can be showcased through the yearly business award outreach and other networking events organised by DBAV beyond the project duration.

Business Awards Event 

As part of the networking pillar, the R2E program will organize a Business Awards Event each year. This activity should award the best-performing selected companies for a range of trophies, such as: European Standards, Agility, Sustainability, Best Performance. The awards will showcase and highlight what participating companies in the program are learning, and encourage all participants to make the most out of the training program. Each year three successful companies will be selected and awarded financial support. Additionally, the evening will serve as an important networking event, where Dutch-European companies in the same fields and high-potential Vietnamese companies can connect with each other.

There will be investment capital to be won: 425,000,000 VND

If you are a Vietnamese SME in the Food processing, Aquaculture, Agriculture, Horticulture, Textiles and garments, or Manufacturing sector, and would like to participate in this program, please register by applying through the “Register Now” menu in this website. For more information and clarifications on the program, you can contact anyone listed in the “Contact Information” section from Monday to Friday 08:00 AM to 05:00 PM.