Science, technology, innovation and digital transformation: Key drivers of the new growth model

In the Draft Documents submitted to the 14th National Party Congress, science, technology, innovation and digital transformation continue to be affirmed as the central driving force of the new growth model, the decisive factor in improving productivity, quality, efficiency and competitiveness of the economy in the new development stage of the country.

The Party's consistent viewpoint: Science and technology is the top national policy.

Throughout the renovation process, our Party has always affirmed: Developing science and technology, education and training is the top national policy, the key driving force to develop modern production forces, innovate the growth model, improve productivity, quality, efficiency and competitiveness of the economy . The 2011 Platform, the 2013 Constitution and the documents of the 12th and 13th National Congresses all clearly define the role of science, technology and innovation in building and defending the Fatherland.

The Party identifies investment in science and technology human resources as investment for sustainable development. Illustrative photo.

The Draft Document of the 14th National Congress continues to emphasize the need to build a science and technology development strategy in line with global trends and Vietnam's reality, meeting the requirements of rapid, sustainable development, adapting to the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The Party identifies the need to synchronously develop the fields of natural sciences, engineering and technology, social sciences and humanities, and political theory, in order to create a comprehensive knowledge and methodology foundation for the cause of national development. At the same time, it identifies investment in science and technology human resources as investment in sustainable development, directly enhancing the intelligence and strength of the nation. It is necessary to continue to strongly and synchronously innovate institutions and policies on application and development of science and technology. Enhance the capacity of the national innovation system, restructure scientific and technological research programs in the direction of focusing on enterprises, taking effective service for the cause of building and defending the Fatherland as the goal. The State needs to prioritize national resources for investment, while encouraging economic sectors to participate in developing and synchronously improving the country's scientific and technological potential.

40 years of innovation – A solid foundation for a new development stage

According to the Draft Report summarizing a number of theoretical and practical issues on the socialist-oriented renovation process over the past 40 years, Vietnam has achieved great achievements of historical significance. From a poor country with food shortages, we have risen to become a middle-income developing country, the material and spiritual life of the people has improved significantly; the country has an unprecedented foundation, potential, position and international prestige.

Contributing to that achievement, science, technology and innovation play a pivotal role, contributing to improving labor productivity, promoting growth and national competitiveness. The Draft Report clearly states: " The field of science, technology and innovation has achieved many new results. Clearly aware and proposed many solutions to implement the viewpoint that "science and technology is the top national policy", is the "key driving force" to develop modern productive forces. International cooperation and integration in science and technology are strengthened. Clearly defining the content of innovation in the national innovation system, thereby promoting the development of the startup and innovation ecosystem".

The national innovation system has been formed and developed; Vietnam's Global Innovation Index (GII) has continuously been in the top group of low-middle income countries; the innovative startup ecosystem has developed rapidly, many Vietnamese technology enterprises have reached regional and world levels. The science and technology market has been actively formed and developed, gradually connecting with regional and international markets, creating a favorable environment for businesses, institutes, schools and scientists to commercialize research results.

Social sciences and humanities have made an important contribution to formulating guidelines and policies, developing new cultural values, improving people's knowledge, and strengthening national solidarity. Natural sciences, engineering, and technology have made practical contributions to modernizing production and developing high-quality human resources, especially in the fields of manufacturing industry, energy, new materials, high-tech agriculture, information technology, and digital transformation.

In particular, science and technology have become a direct productive force, the foundation of the process of industrialization, modernization and national digital transformation. The electronics, telecommunications, high-tech agriculture, logistics, renewable energy, biomedicine, new materials industries, etc. all bear the mark of innovation.

However, the draft Report also pointed out that in the development of science and technology, there are still many systemic bottlenecks and bottlenecks, especially in the management mechanism, resource allocation and financial mechanism, which need to be resolved synchronously and completely.

Continue to innovate thinking, promote the power of science and technology in the new period

The draft document of the 14th National Congress clearly defines the orientation: "Establishing a new growth model with the goal of improving productivity, quality, efficiency, added value and competitiveness of the economy; taking science, technology, innovation and digital transformation as the main driving force; creating new high-quality production capacity and production methods, focusing on data economy and digital economy". This is the key orientation for the new development stage, aiming to create a breakthrough in national productivity and competitiveness, promoting the formation of strong growth poles, new-generation economic zones on par with the region and the world. The document also emphasizes the synchronous implementation of four strategic transformations: digital transformation, green transformation, energy transformation and transformation of structure and quality of human resources.

According to forecasts, by 2045 the economy will develop rapidly and sustainably based mainly on science and technology, innovation and digital transformation. Illustrative photo.

The Draft Report also makes some forecasts about the domestic situation, Vietnam's economy can achieve an average double-digit growth rate in the period 2026-2030; GDP per capita by 2030 is expected to reach about 8,500 USD, GDP scale reaches 900 billion USD, bringing Vietnam into the group of upper middle-income countries. By 2045, the economy will develop rapidly and sustainably based mainly on science and technology, innovation and digital transformation. GDP growth rate in the period 2030-2045 will continue to maintain a high level, GDP scale in 2045 will reach about 2,500 billion USD. The economy operates according to the methods of digital economy, green economy, and circular economy.

To achieve the goal, one of the orientations identified in the coming period is to promote industrialization and modernization with science and technology, innovation and digital transformation as the main driving force. Continue to promote rapid and sustainable economic development, strengthen the implementation of three strategic breakthroughs and new economic development models and methods. Focus on synchronously and effectively implementing the viewpoints, goals, tasks and solutions of the 10-year Socio-Economic Development Strategy 2021-2030. Along with that, "Strongly develop science and technology to serve the requirements of promoting innovation, so that science and technology truly become the leading driving force, meeting the requirements of rapid and sustainable economic development in the coming period. Focus on developing and perfecting the synchronous strategic infrastructure system, especially transport infrastructure, digital infrastructure and green infrastructure".

The draft documents to be submitted to the 14th National Congress are being widely consulted throughout the Party, people and army, demonstrating the strategic vision and aspiration for national development in the new period - the period when Vietnam enters the orbit of industrialization, modernization and rapid, sustainable development, with science, technology, innovation and digital transformation as the main driving forces of the new growth model.

Center for Science and Technology Communication

Source: https://mst.gov.vn/khoa-hoc-cong-nghe-doi-moi-sang-tao-va-chuyen-doi-so-dong-luc-chinh-cua-mo-hinh-tang-truong-moi-197251113102439308.htm