Vietnam Young Entrepreneurs Association proposes to 'open the way' for private sector to enter science and technology playground

Although the policy is clear, reality shows that private enterprises still face many barriers when entering the science and technology playground, so the Vietnam Young Entrepreneurs Association has proposed the need for a substantive, unified and open legal corridor.

Workers produce electrical equipment at the factory of Dien Quang Lamp Joint Stock Company in Ho Chi Minh City - Photo: NGOC HIEN

Lack of guidance , high-tech projects "freeze"

Speaking to Tuoi Tre Online on June 30, a representative of the Vietnam Young Entrepreneurs Association said that a survey of members on policy implementation showed that one of the bottlenecks pointed out by the young business community was the lack of specific guidance in implementing issued policies.

For example, since 2016, in document No. 5181/VPCP-KTN, the Prime Minister has allowed localities to proactively establish high-tech agricultural zones using socialized capital.

However, after many years, there are still no detailed instructions, causing many projects with investment policies to still not be able to be implemented.  

Meanwhile, the regulation in Decree 10/2024 requiring high-tech agricultural zones to be established only with state budget is going against the policy of socialization and empowering the private sector.

Mr. Dang Hong Anh - Chairman of the Vietnam Young Entrepreneurs Association - said that the young business community operating in this field wants to propose amendments to the regulations.

In particular, Mr. Hong Anh said that it is necessary to allow private enterprises to invest and operate high-tech zones on the condition that they meet technical criteria and ensure sustainable development.

"It is also proposed to give local authorities authority in licensing and managing high-tech zones with private capital to shorten the time and increase initiative," said Mr. Hong Anh.

Flexible mechanism needed for businesses to register for science and technology activities

The Vietnam Young Entrepreneurs Association said that the current procedures for recognizing science and technology enterprises are still a major barrier.

Many enterprises, despite investing heavily in research and development and innovating production processes, cannot access support programs because they do not have the "title" of a science and technology enterprise.

Therefore, the Vietnam Young Entrepreneurs Association proposed to abolish the mandatory requirement to establish a new science and technology enterprise to enjoy incentives, replacing it with a simpler and more flexible mechanism for registering science and technology activities.

In addition, the Vietnam Young Entrepreneurs Association commented that current national science and technology programs are hardly open to the private sector.

Therefore, this association recommends that the Government allow private enterprises to participate in programs such as technology decoding, artificial intelligence, big data, gene mapping, or digital transformation in the fields of agriculture and environment.

"If the right mechanism is created, the private sector can absolutely play a key role in emerging and potential fields. The lack of coordination between ministries and sectors also makes the procedural process circular and ineffective.

We propose having an interdisciplinary focal point to support private enterprises in implementing science and technology projects, unifying the guiding focal point and shortening the approval process," Mr. Hong Anh proposed.

Proposed policies to support small and medium enterprises

Mr. Dang Hong Anh said that completing the legal corridor for the private sector to invest heavily in science and technology is a commitment to a long-term development strategy.

Along with procedural and coordination reforms, the Vietnam Young Entrepreneurs Association proposes that the Government support small and medium-sized enterprises through legal consultancy programs, scientific management training and intellectual property guidance.

According to Mr. Hong Anh, this is a group of businesses with aspirations and innovative energy but lacking the legal foundation to implement them systematically. If supported, they will be the core force of innovation at the grassroots level.

Mr. Hong Anh said that in the current context, perfecting the legal corridor for the private sector to invest heavily in science and technology is not just a single policy content but a commitment to a long-term development strategy, demonstrating the State's role as a companion to businesses.

"The legal corridor needs to be clarified, trust needs to be placed at the right time and place. Then, the private sector will not hesitate to enter difficult fields, invest long-term, and play a real role in raising the country's position with intelligence and science," said Mr. Hong Anh.

NGOC HIEN

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/hoi-doanh-nhan-tre-viet-nam-de-xuat-mo-loi-cho-tu-nhan-vao-san-choi-khoa-hoc-cong-nghe-20250630205030144.htm