Building on last year’s “Supplier Day 2019,” sponsored by USAID Linkages for Small and Medium Enterprises (USAID LinkSME) project and the American Chamber of Commerce, JAT Auto parts and Industrial Equipment Production JSC (JAT JSC) developed key relationships that grew into a business linkage. Following the supplier day event, USAID LinkSME and Vietnam Association for Supporting Industries conducted a capabilities assessment of JAT JSC to ensure they met requirements for a linkage and then facilitated a business relationship between JAT JSC and Métosak Inc. (a Canadian manufacturer of high-quality, machine-welded components and assemblies). This week Métosak Inc. issued two trial run purchase orders to JAT JSC with an approximate value of $31,000. USAID will continue its technical assistance to JAT JSC to ensure parts are produced following processes required for consistent quality. JAT JSC is the second Vietnamese SME that has been linked to Métosak’s supply chain as a result of USAID LinkSME’s technical support.

So What? Strengthening linkages between lead firms and Vietnamese suppliers in the manufacturing industry helps Vietnamese SMEs integrate into supply chains, accelerates domestic SME growth, and supports Vietnam’s Journey to Self-Reliance and independence from efforts by malign actors to capture supply chains.