Create a controlled testing mechanism

anhbaitren(2).jpg — Nhat Tan Bridge, Hanoi . Photo: Quang Vinh.

According to the draft Law on the Capital (amended), controlled testing is the testing of new innovative technologies, products, services or business models under real conditions, with a limited scope under the special control of competent state agencies. The proposed new technology, product, service or business model for testing must be capable of bringing high economic and social value and efficiency that the law does not yet regulate, does not allow implementation or the current regulations of the law are no longer suitable.

The inclusion of a controlled testing model in the revised Law on the Capital is expected to create a legal framework to promote investment in technology fields.

The agency examining the draft Law, the National Assembly's Law Committee, believes that such a provision is consistent with the requirements of Resolution No. 52-NQ/TW of the Politburo on a number of policies and strategies to proactively participate in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, creating a foundation for Hanoi to attract and facilitate the practical implementation of technological solutions, products, services, new business models, encouraging the spirit of innovation, making the capital Hanoi truly one of the leading centers of innovation in the country and the region. However, because the controlled testing mechanism is a new model, there is no practical testing. Therefore, the National Assembly Standing Committee requests that agencies continue to research and consult with ministries and branches to complete this provision.

Regarding the scope of contents that can be applied to the controlled testing mechanism, according to Mr. Hoang Thanh Tung - Chairman of the Law Committee of the National Assembly, there are opinions suggesting that the contents and fields that are allowed to be tested under control should be more specifically limited. For example, only including new technologies in certain fields as stipulated in Resolution No. 98/2023/QH15 of the National Assembly applicable to Ho Chi Minh City because this is a new content, requiring cautious steps.

Regarding the above issue, National Assembly Deputy Pham Van Hoa (Dong Thap delegation) expressed his agreement that there should be a controlled testing mechanism for testing new technologies, products, services or business models with innovative nature for technological inventions and technical initiatives. This is a factor that creates conditions for Hanoi to truly become one of the leading centers for innovation in the country and the region.

However, Mr. Hoa also said that testing needs to be strictly controlled because there are important tests, initiatives, and technical improvements that can affect national issues, and may even have “side effects”. Therefore, relevant ministries and branches also need to pay attention and control those testing areas.

Mr. Pham Van Thinh - Member of the National Assembly's Economic Committee expressed his opinion that we should boldly open up to the Capital, because the Capital is the most vibrant and concentrated place in terms of economy and society. Especially, the experiment needs an environment that meets the requirements of reality.

“For example, when the government invests in building a product, it always sets out procedures. But we can boldly experiment by simply producing products such as trains and routes. Once the route is completed and the trains can run, that is enough instead of following the procedures. That means only checking the properties of the product instead of following the procedures from A to Z. Therefore, we need to delve into the issue of quality, that is, good product quality according to the set technical parameters, linked to the issue of responsibility. If it fails, we must take responsibility, not requiring compliance with the old procedures of how many meters to dig and drill? How to drive piles?” - Mr. Thinh gave an example and evidence: “Testing new technology is already available abroad. So how to calculate the test to suit our resource capacity. Testing and checking the quality according to the output direction can stimulate creativity. For example, muddy soil must have gravel added to create hardness, but now there can be additives to make muddy soil as hard as rock, so there is no need for the process of adding gravel anymore. That means there must be a space for testing in order to be creative. If we are forced to follow the process, if we are not considered wrong and do not get paid, who would dare to test?

Regarding new technology products, according to Mr. Thinh, in experiments, the management of technology topics should not require how many meetings are required? How many pages of reports? But only consider the research of the product to be paid. "But as it is now, scientists have to do paperwork. It's very difficult!" - Mr. Thinh said, at the same time, he believed that if the private sector does it, it will reduce the cost of compliance time a lot. If the state did it, Van Don airport would take 6 years, but if the private sector did it, it would only take 2 years. So society would benefit greatly from those 4 years.

From the regulation on the controlled testing mechanism in the draft Law on the Capital (amended), Mr. Tran Van Khai - Standing Member of the National Assembly's Committee on Science, Technology, and Environment raised the issue of how countries regulate, what are the advantages and disadvantages of each country's regulations? Have we conducted any comprehensive research and drawn any experience when applying this regulation in the draft Law on the Capital (amended)? Are such regulations limited to a locality or a specific field? Therefore, it is necessary to regulate the mechanism, scope, conditions, and limits for each field in accordance with specific conditions, and not to regulate them generally so that they can be applied widely and easily exposed to loopholes.

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