Hanoi: The strategy for 2026-2030 must continue to ensure progress and equity in equal access to finance and credit for all groups, leaving no one behind in the development process, particularly those in rural, remote, mountainous, border, and island areas; poor households, students, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), cooperatives, business households, women, vulnerable groups and ethnic minorities, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. While chairing the third meeting of the National Steering Committee for Financial Inclusion in Hanoi on February 24 to review the 2020-2025 national financial inclusion strategy and oversee preparations for the next phase, PM Chinh, who is also its head, asked the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) to work closely with the Government Office to incorporate feedback, finalise the 2026-2030 draft, and submit it to him for issuance.

According to Vietnam News Agency, the meeting focused on evaluating the progress made in the 2020-2025 phase and emphasized the necessity of reaching marginalized and underserved communities in the upcoming years. The Prime Minister highlighted the importance of collaboration between governmental bodies and financial institutions to achieve these objectives, stressing the need for a coherent strategy that addresses the unique challenges faced by these groups.

The Prime Minister also called for an inclusive approach, ensuring that all voices, especially those from the most affected communities, are heard and considered in the strategy formulation. The emphasis was on creating an environment where financial services are accessible to all, facilitating economic growth and stability.

The committee is tasked with the critical role of identifying and addressing barriers to financial inclusion. The Prime Minister's directive aims to ensure that the benefits of financial growth are shared across society, fostering a more inclusive and equitable economic landscape.