(MPI) - Vietnam identifies science, technology and innovation as the driving force for rapid and sustainable economic development, especially in the digital era, Minister Nguyen Chi Dung stated. Only innovation and science, technology make Vietnam turn risks into opportunities. The socio-economic development strategy for the 2021-2030 period said that Vietnam must catch up, move forward and go beyond in science, technology and innovation.

Overview of the conference. Photo: MPI

The conference was jointly organized by the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Boston Consulting Group on May 16, with the participation of some US enterprises and investment funds such as Alphabet Inc. (Google); Deltec Bank & Trust, JP Morgan & Co, Indus Capital, Reserra Capital.

Vietnam sets a goal to master and apply modern technology in all fields of socio-economics, environment, national defense and security by 2045. The country focuses on developing priority industries with high readiness such as information technology, electronics - telecommunications; finance - banking; ecommerce; digital agriculture; digital tourism; digital culture industry; health; education and training, according to the minister.

Minister Dung also pointed out some priorities to further promote, including smart agriculture, high efficient agriculture, smart factories, smart cities, digital communication, network security and environmental technology.

Minister Nguyen Chi Dung. Photo: MPI

It is anticipated that US’s investors and investment fund support Vietnam in doing research and effective implementation of some priority fields; access to sources for modern infrastructure investment; improvement of technological capacity, knowledge and solutions in line with international practice and Vietnam’s requirements on sustainable development.

The minister called on investment funds to invest in startup incubation of Vietnam; new technology projects with high potentials such as blockchain, financial technology (fintech) and educational technology (edutech).

Representatives at the conference exchange views on Vietnam’s priority areas, especially innovation that can receive support from the US corporations.

At the conference, BCG informed the research on the development of digital technology in green banking and green energy. The participating firms also wish to cooperate with Vietnam in such areas as human resources training in information technology and digital transformation; fintech, green tech, etc./.

Bao Linh

Ministry of Planning and Investment