'Always put businesses and people at the center of innovation'

The above message was delivered by the head of the Government when attending the inauguration ceremony of the new facility of the National Innovation Center (NIC) and the Vietnam International Innovation Exhibition 2023 (VIIE 2023) at Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park, Hanoi, which took place this morning, October 28.

New phase of innovation

In his speech, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized that this is a very important and meaningful 2-in-1 event in promoting the development of science and technology (S&T) and innovation (I&C).

Innovation is an inevitable trend, an objective requirement, a strategic choice and one of the top priorities of our country.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and delegates cut the ribbon to inaugurate the National Innovation Center. (Photo: VGP)

To realize the aspiration of building a strong and prosperous Vietnam, with people increasingly prosperous and happy, the Party and State have paid early attention, had many policies, leadership and direction throughout the periods. Developing science and technology, innovation, and the viewpoint of promoting science and technology as the top national policy has demonstrated this.

Looking back over 3 decades of innovation, openness and integration, Vietnam has achieved great and historic achievements, bringing Vietnam into the top 40 economies with the largest GDP in the world in 2022. Import and export scale ranks 20th globally.

However, the Prime Minister said that Vietnam is still facing many difficulties and challenges. Although there have been some developments in science and technology and innovation, they have not yet met the requirements and are not commensurate with the potential and advantages, especially the intellectual potential and creativity of the Vietnamese people.

"We cannot help but worry, ponder and feel responsible when the labor productivity growth rate is still low," the Prime Minister emphasized.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and delegates performed the opening ceremony of the VIIE 2023 Exhibition.

The Head of Government highly appreciated the idea of ​​the Ministry of Planning and Investment in forming the NIC and fully connecting the subjects of the Vietnamese innovation ecosystem through the VIIE 2023 Exhibition in accordance with the spirit of Resolution No. 52 of the Politburo on a number of guidelines and policies to proactively participate in the fourth industrial revolution.

“The exhibition has introduced and spread the image of an “Innovative Nation” to the public and the innovation community around the world; showing Vietnam’s potential, advantages and progress in innovation and the access and application of achievements of the fourth industrial revolution in national construction and defense,” the Prime Minister said, expressing his delight at the participation of many partners from the US such as Synosyps, Cadence, Arizona, Nvidia... to concretize the agreements signed with NIC during President Joe Biden’s visit to Vietnam and the recent visit to the US by the Prime Minister of Vietnam.

NIC announced and signed a number of cooperation agreements with domestic and foreign partners.

Believing that thinking must be innovative, vision must be strategic but must also be realized through specific, substantive and effective actions and steps, the Prime Minister assessed that VIIE 2023, together with the inauguration of NIC, is the realization of the innovation process entering a new phase.

The inauguration of NIC's facility will create a new innovation space for our country; clearly demonstrating the spirit of daring to think, daring to do, daring to innovate for development, becoming a model to promote innovation for the country. At the same time, contributing to creating a symbol for Vietnam as a destination for innovation.

To maximize investment efficiency for NIC, the Prime Minister requested the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Science and Technology, ministries, agencies and enterprises to be bolder, more determined, make greater efforts, and better utilize cooperation opportunities with international partners.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh awarded the Vietnam Innovation Challenge 2023 prize to the four highest-winning units.

In particular, the Prime Minister suggested a number of key tasks such as perfecting institutions and policies for innovation activities in Vietnam, promptly meeting the practical development requirements of innovation ecosystem subjects, especially innovation enterprises and creative startups.

That is, it is necessary to develop strategies, plans, and action programs to focus on developing areas with high content of science, technology, and innovation and bring high added value to Vietnam in the coming period such as semiconductor industry, hydrogen technology, healthcare, smart education, etc.

Promoting the spirit of cooperation, effective, sustainable and comprehensive connection between the subjects of the innovation ecosystem, together with large enterprises and corporations; small and medium enterprises, creative startups; research institutes, universities; innovation support organizations, innovation centers, innovation incubators, etc.

Promote international cooperation in the field of innovation and science and technology, especially cooperation between domestic innovation enterprises and organizations with large technology enterprises and corporations in the world.

The Prime Minister also respectfully requested embassies, international organizations and especially leaders of large technology corporations participating in this program to further promote investment activities, business investment cooperation and support enterprises in Vietnam's innovation ecosystem in the spirit of "harmonized benefits and shared risks".

Along with that, continue to perfect the mechanism and policies for NIC development, soon deploy operations, attract investment partners, build research and development facilities at NIC's new facility in Hoa Lac High-Tech Park; complete strategic infrastructure connections, especially in terms of transportation and services of Hoa Lac High-Tech Park.

Prime Minister visits the booths of MK, Safegate, Pavana, Facenet and Vissoft alliance.

The Prime Minister also called on large domestic and foreign enterprises, corporations, and research institutions to research and propose appropriate forms of cooperation with NIC to be increasingly effective and bring common benefits.

Ministries, sectors and localities actively and proactively coordinate to effectively implement tasks and solutions according to the policies set out by the Party and the State in developing the innovation ecosystem, always putting businesses and people at the center of innovation. Focus on building and perfecting national innovation and startup support centers in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Hai Phong, Can Tho, etc.

Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung.

Symbol of determination to innovate growth model

Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung assessed that today's event marks the formation of not only a national innovation space but also a symbol of Vietnam's determination to promote rapid and sustainable growth model innovation based on science, technology and innovation.

“The center not only connects the domestic innovation ecosystem but also connects with the network of innovation centers in the region and the world, contributing to enhancing Vietnam's position in fulfilling the mission of becoming the center of innovation in the region and the world,” affirmed Minister Nguyen Chi Dung.

Mr. Chey Tae-won, Chairman of SK Group, pledged to accompany the Vietnamese Government, economic groups, small and medium enterprises and startups.

He mentioned three areas of potential cooperation: energy transition; digital technology and sustainable development.

In addition, SK Group also wants to build smart manufacturing solutions and participate in the healthcare sector to deal with future problems caused by an aging population. Taking advantage of the advanced agricultural technology it holds, it will implement projects to build cold distribution systems and produce low-carbon fertilizers to achieve equitable development across regions.

At the inauguration ceremony of NIC Hoa Lac campus combined with the opening of VIIE 2023, the Ministry of Planning and Investment and Meta awarded the Vietnam Innovation Award 2023 to 12 outstanding solutions and honored the top 4 best solutions participating in the Vietnam Innovation Challenge (VIC) program launched in October 2022.

NIC has also announced and signed a number of cooperation agreements with partners including: Hanoi National University, Ho Chi Minh City National University, Google, Samsung, SpaceX, Intel, Cadence, VinaCapital, Southeast Impact Alliance, VNPT, Sovico, FPT, Tresemi on promoting innovation, developing high-quality human resources, especially in the semiconductor field, and enhancing research and development of semiconductor chips.

VIIE 2023 has about 200 booths with the participation of many large-scale and prestigious technology enterprises in Vietnam such as: Viettel, VNPT, Sovico, Masan, Becamex, VinFast, CT Group, Mobifone; leading innovative technology enterprises in the world such as SK, Samsung, SpaceX, Google, Meta, Intel, Signify, John Cokerill...

The Prime Minister stated three major commitments to foreign investors . The Prime Minister affirmed that Vietnam creates favorable conditions and builds a safe, transparent, and highly competitive investment and business environment so that the business community and investors, including foreign investors, can feel secure in long-term investment in Vietnam.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/thu-tuong-luon-dat-doanh-nghiep-nguoi-dan-la-trong-tam-cua-doi-moi-sang-tao-2207918.html