Aspirations and challenges

Establishing a high-tech zone is considered a correct direction and reflects Binh Thuan 's aspiration to select and seek new growth drivers in line with the Industry 4.0 development trend…

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Last September, the Government Office issued a Notice summarizing the conclusions of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at a working session with key leaders of Binh Thuan province. Accordingly, regarding the establishment of a high-tech zone, the province was assigned to take the lead, coordinating with relevant agencies to develop, appraise, and submit the project proposal for approval in accordance with its authority and regulations… Locally, the Provincial Party Standing Committee and the Provincial People's Committee also issued a plan for implementing this matter.

The workshop "Orientation for the Development of the Binh Thuan Province High-Tech Park" was recently held in Phan Thiet City.

As an initial step, the Department of Science and Technology was tasked with leading and coordinating with relevant agencies to research and develop a plan for the establishment of a high-tech zone, and to advise the Provincial People's Committee to submit it to the competent authority in 2023. Following the proposal, the Department of Planning and Investment, in collaboration with a consulting unit, integrated content related to the high-tech zone into the Binh Thuan Provincial Planning for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050. This includes: perspectives on the development of socio -economic infrastructure, development goals, and orientations for the formation of important projects contributing to the development of the science and technology market… Specifically, regarding the orientation, the locality plans to form a cluster of science and technology industries, a high-tech zone linked to innovation and training, and the development of coastal tourism cities (3,000 hectares) located in Ham Thuan Nam district. This aims to train and develop high-quality human resources, provide technological products, and support the development of a startup and innovation ecosystem, connecting resources for development. At the same time, the spatial planning scheme for Ham Thuan Nam and Ham Thuan Bac districts also reflects the content of "Focusing on attracting investment to develop high-tech zones"...

Based on a comprehensive study of the country's high-tech zones and the conditions for establishing them, the Department of Science and Technology has recently reported and proposed several related issues to the Provincial People's Committee. Furthermore, it has established a team to advise on the formation of high-tech zones, and is urgently researching regulations, reviewing work during implementation, and contacting localities that have already implemented high-tech zones to learn from their experiences. This includes sending officials to study the experience of the relevant department in Thua Thien Hue province regarding the steps in forming and developing high-tech zone projects, and proposing to jointly organize a workshop on "Orientation for the Construction of a High-Tech Zone in Binh Thuan Province" in Phan Thiet City.

With its advantageous geographical location, significant potential for developing a comprehensive economy (including industry, tourism, and agriculture), and gradually improving external transportation infrastructure, Binh Thuan has favorable conditions to implement the High-Tech Park Project. This aims to attract and develop high-tech industries and sectors, especially high-tech agriculture and high-tech industries, and create a foundation to promote science and technology as a driving force for future development.

Many challenges remain.

At the workshop "Orientation for the Construction of the Binh Thuan High-Tech Park" held in mid-November 2023, many opinions suggested that, in addition to its potential and advantages, the formation of a high-tech park in the province faces many challenges. According to Mr. Nguyen Hoai Trung, Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology, besides ensuring the conditions for establishing a high-tech park as stipulated, it must also meet planning requirements. However, the national master plan for the development of high-tech parks until 2020 and orientation until 2030 (according to Decision No. 792, dated June 8, 2015, of the Prime Minister) does not include a high-tech park in Binh Thuan province. Furthermore, according to Decision No. 326 (dated March 9, 2022) of the Prime Minister on the allocation of national land use targets for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050, and the 5-year national land use plan 2021-2025, there is no allocation of land targets for the high-tech zone in Binh Thuan...

Based on the above situation, the locality needs to focus on implementing several tasks to promote the formation of the Binh Thuan High-Tech Park. First, it is necessary to build a legal framework for the project and update it in the planning, submitting it to the Prime Minister for approval. In addition, there should be a plan to mobilize social capital for investment in the high-tech park's infrastructure, as well as building an innovation ecosystem and developing science and technology in the province in conjunction with socio-economic development. Considered a new direction, the development of the high-tech park in Binh Thuan must be thoroughly evaluated, drawing on the implementation experiences of many localities or the opinions of experts, especially in the field of science and technology. To successfully guide the development of the high-tech park in Binh Thuan, the efforts of all levels and sectors, especially the role of the science and technology sector, are still very much needed. Furthermore, issues related to human resources and investment in institutions to support the development of the high-tech park must also be comprehensively reviewed and evaluated.

Therefore, after incorporating numerous opinions, suggestions, and shared experiences at the scientific conference themed "Orientation for the Construction of the Binh Thuan High-Tech Park," the locality will develop appropriate and feasible solutions and a roadmap for the formation and development of the high-tech park in the coming time. This will not only meet the orientation of Industry 4.0 development but also contribute to shifting the province's economic growth model towards science, technology, and innovation.

According to the national master plan for the development of high-tech zones until 2020 and orientation until 2030, six high-tech zones will be established nationwide. To date, four high-tech zones have been established and are in operation, including three national high-tech zones (Hoa Lac High-Tech Zone in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City High-Tech Zone, and Da Nang High-Tech Zone) and the Dong Nai specialized biotechnology high-tech zone.

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