Economic development for ethnic minorities

Dialogue, open communication, and sharing ideas were topics on the agenda for an international roundtable that IBA hosted in Canberra on 17 October with a Vietnamese delegation.

The discussion included a delegation of ministries, local government leaders and businesses from Vietnam led by Mr Hau A Lenh (pictured below), a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam and Chairman (equivalent to Minister) of the Committee for Ethnic Minority Affairs (CEMA).

As the ministry responsible for the socio-economic development of ethnic minority people, CEMA is a key stakeholder of Australia’s development program to Vietnam. Australia’s program promotes women’s participation in agriculture and tourism in ethnic minority communities and technical assistance to inform central and provincial governments implementation of ethnic minority policies and programs in partnership with the World Bank.

The delegation sought to learn more about how the experiences of Australia’s First Nations people have been impacted by policy and institutional frameworks designed to create economic outcomes. They hope to take this knowledge back and see how they may apply it in developing the economies for ethnic minorities within Vietnam.

IBA recently launched our 2021-22 Impact Report that demonstrates how investing in our First Nations people has economic, social and cultural impacts. See the report.

During the Vietnamese delegation time in Australia, they will also meet with select Indigenous organisations, stakeholders and groups to learn about the economic progress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The focus this week of the roundtable discussions with IBA was our role in supporting First Nations businesses, the impact and effectiveness of the Indigenous Procurement Policy on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses in Australia, the creation and rise of the Indigenous Estate and how this model may be beneficial to Vietnam’s ethnic groups seeking to enhance the economic development of their communities through government policy and measurers.

“Today’s meeting with our international guests reinforces the impact good policy can have on communities, be they First Nations people in Australia or the Hmong people of Vietnam,” said Sean Armistead, Executive Director Government and Public Relations, IBA.

IBA Chair Eddie Fry (pictured here with Chairman Lenh) added, “The key to success is not just having an idea but having a plan and structure that you populate with the right people to lift that performance.”

“The deployment of capital and the deployment of resources is what makes businesses work. Doesn’t matter whether you are a minority group or the richest people. You need those two key elements,” said Eddie.

“It was a very productive discussion and a great opportunity?to share experiences and learn from each other…I would like to sincerely thank you and your team for making the visit happen. We were deeply touched by your kind support and warm hospitality that you have rendered to the Minister and the delegation,” said Pham Thuy Huong, First Secretary, Embassy of Vietnam.