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

This message was delivered by the head of government at the inauguration ceremony of the new National Innovation Center (NIC) facility and the Vietnam International Innovation Exhibition 2023 (VIIE 2023) at Hoa Lac High-Tech Park, Hanoi , which took place this morning, October 28th.

A new phase of innovation

In his remarks, 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&I).

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, where the people are increasingly well-off and happy, the Party and State have shown early concern and implemented numerous policies and guidelines throughout various periods. The development of science and technology, innovation, and the view that science and technology are a top national priority exemplify this.

Looking back over more than three decades of reform, opening up, and integration, Vietnam has achieved tremendous, historically significant accomplishments, placing it among the top 40 economies in the world by GDP in 2022. Its import and export volume ranks 20th globally.

However, the Prime Minister stated that Vietnam is still facing many difficulties and challenges. While progress has been made in science and technology and innovation, it has not yet met the requirements or lived up to the potential and advantages, especially the intellectual potential and creative capacity of the Vietnamese people.

"We cannot help but be concerned, troubled, and responsible when the target for labor productivity growth is still not high enough," the Prime Minister emphasized.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and delegates perform 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 stakeholders of Vietnam's innovation ecosystem through the VIIE 2023 Exhibition, in line with the spirit of Resolution No. 52 of the Politburo on some guidelines and policies for proactively participating in the fourth industrial revolution.

“The exhibition has introduced and spread the image of a ‘Nation of Innovation’ to the public and the innovation community worldwide; showing the potential, advantages, and progress of Vietnam in innovation and the access to and application of the achievements of the fourth industrial revolution in building and protecting the Fatherland,” the Prime Minister said, expressing his pleasure to know that many partners from the US such as Synosyps, Cadence, Arizona, Nvidia... participated to concretize the agreements signed with NIC during President Joe Biden’s visit to Vietnam and the recent visit of the Vietnamese Prime Minister to the US.

NIC announced and signed several cooperation agreements with domestic and international partners.

Emphasizing that thinking must be innovative, vision must be strategic but also realized through concrete, substantive, and effective actions and steps, the Prime Minister assessed that VIIE 2023, coinciding with the inauguration of NIC, represents the realization of innovation 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 act, and daring to innovate for development, becoming a model to promote innovation for the country. At the same time, it will contribute to creating a symbol for Vietnam as a destination for innovation.

To maximize the effectiveness of investment in NICs, the Prime Minister requested the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Science and Technology, and other ministries, agencies, and businesses to be bolder, more determined, and make greater efforts, better utilizing opportunities for cooperation with international partners.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh presents the Vietnam Innovation Challenge 2023 award to the four top-ranked winning units.

In this context, the Prime Minister suggested several key tasks, such as perfecting the institutional framework and policies for innovation activities in Vietnam, promptly meeting the practical development requirements of entities in the innovation ecosystem, especially innovation businesses and innovative startups.

This requires developing strategies, plans, and action programs to focus on developing sectors with high scientific and technological content, innovation, and high added value for Vietnam in the coming period, such as the semiconductor industry, hydrogen technology, healthcare, and intelligent education…

Promoting effective, sustainable, and comprehensive cooperation and connectivity among stakeholders in the innovation ecosystem, including large enterprises and corporations; small and medium-sized enterprises and innovative startups; research institutes and universities; innovation support organizations, innovation centers, and innovation incubators…

Strengthen international cooperation in the field of innovation and science and technology, especially cooperation between domestic innovation enterprises and organizations and large technology companies and corporations worldwide.

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

In addition, continue to improve the mechanisms and policies for NIC development, promptly implement operational work, attract investment partners, and build research and development facilities at the new NIC site in Hoa Lac High-Tech Park; complete the strategic infrastructure connecting, especially in transportation and services, of Hoa Lac High-Tech Park.

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

The Prime Minister also called on domestic and foreign businesses, corporations, and major research institutions to study and propose forms of cooperation that are increasingly effective and bring mutual benefits to the NIC.

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

Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung.

A symbol of the determination to innovate the growth model.

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

"The center not only connects the domestic innovation ecosystem but also links with the network of innovation centers in the region and around the world, contributing to enhancing Vietnam's position in fulfilling its mission to become a center of innovation in the region and the world," Minister Nguyen Chi Dung affirmed.

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

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

Furthermore, SK Group also aims to develop smart manufacturing solutions and participate in the healthcare sector to address future challenges arising from an aging population. Leveraging its advanced agricultural technology, the company plans to implement projects to build cold chain distribution systems and produce low-carbon fertilizers, aiming for balanced development across regions.

At the inauguration ceremony of the NIC Hoa Lac facility, combined with the opening of VIIE 2023, the Ministry of Science and Technology 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 several cooperation agreements with partners including: Vietnam National University, Hanoi; Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City; Google; Samsung; SpaceX; Intel; Cadence; VinaCapital; Southeast Impact Alliance; VNPT; Sovico; FPT; and Tresemi on promoting innovation, developing high-quality human resources, especially in the semiconductor field, and strengthening research and development of semiconductor chips.

VIIE 2023 features approximately 200 booths with the participation of many large-scale and reputable Vietnamese technology companies such as Viettel, VNPT, Sovico, Masan, Becamex, VinFast, CT Group, Mobifone; and leading innovative technology companies from around the world such as SK, Samsung, SpaceX, Google, Meta, Intel, Signify, John Cokerill…

The Prime Minister outlined three major commitments to foreign investors . The Prime Minister affirmed that Vietnam is creating favorable conditions and building a safe, transparent, and highly competitive investment and business environment so that the business community and investors, including foreign investors, can confidently invest long-term in Vietnam.

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