Decree No. 56/2009/ND-CP of June 30, 2009, on assistance to the development of small- and medium-sized enterprises

THE GOVERNMENT -------	SOCIALIST REPUBLICOF VIETNAM Independence - Freedom– Happiness ----------
No. 56/2009/ND-CP	Hanoi, June 30, 2009

DECREE

ON ASSISTANCE TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF SMALL- AND MEDIUM-SIZED ENTERPRISES

THE GOVERNMENT

Pursuant to the December 25, 2001 Law on Organization of the Government;
Pursuant to the Enterprise Law and the Investment Law of November 29, 2005;
At the proposal of the Minister of Planning and Investment;

DECREES:

Chapter I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Governing scope

This Decree provides for policies on, and the state management of. assistance to the development of small- and medium-sized enterprises.

Article 2. Subjects of application

This Decree applies to small- and medium-sized enterprises, organizations providing assistance to the development of small- and medium-sized enterprises and agencies performing the state management of assistance to the development of small- and medium-sized enterprises.

Article 3. Definition of small- and medium-sized enterprises

1. Small- and medium-sized enterprises are business establishments that have registered their business according to law and are divided into three levels: very small, small and medium according to the sizes of their total capital (equivalent to the total assets identified in an enterprise's accounting balance sheet) or the average annual number of laborers (total capital is the priority criterion), concretely as follows:

Size Sector	Very small enterprises	Small-sized enterprises		Medium-si zed enterprises
Size Sector	Number of laborers	Total capital	Number of laborers	Total capital	Number of laborers
I. Agriculture, forestry and fishery	10 persons or fewer	VND 20 billion or less	Between over 10 persons and 200 persons	Between over VND 20 billion and VND 100 billion	Between over 200 persons and 300 persons
II. Industry and construction	10 persons or fewer	VND 20 billion or less	Between over 10 persons and 200 persons	Between over VND 20 billion and VND 100 billion	Between over 200 persons and 300 persons
III. Trade and service	10 persons or fewer	VND 10 billion or less	Between over 10 persons and 50 persons	Between over VND 10 billion and VND 50 billion	Between over 50 persons and 100 persons

2. Depending on the nature and objectives of each assistance policy or program, the sponsoring agencies may concretize the above criteria as appropriate.

3. The Ministry of Planning and Investment (the General Statistics Office) shall assume the prime responsibility for. and coordinate with ministries, branches and concerned agencies in. investigating, summing up and publicizing annual statistical data on small- and medium-sized enterprises according to the definitions in this Decree.

Article 4. Plans on assistance to the development of small- and medium-sized enterprises, which cover the solutions and funds for implementation, must be incorporated into annual and five-year plans of ministries, branches, localities and the national economy.