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Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (C) speaks at the conference
(Photo: VNA)
PM Phuc made the suggestion while delivering a speech at an international
conference themed “Science, technology and innovation as a pillar for
socio-economic development in Vietnam” held in Hanoi on May 15.
He recognised the outcomes of cooperation between the Vietnamese Ministry of
Science and Technology, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade,
and the World Bank in building reports on the future of Vietnam’s digital
economy as well as science, technology and innovation reports through 2035,
providing specific and useful evaluations, recommendations, solutions and
policies for Vietnam in the process of making socio-economic development
strategies for the next 10 years and beyond.
The PM noted that Vietnam’s Global Innovation Index (GII) has been improved
continuously in recent years, helping it to lead lower-middle-income countries.
However, there remained shortcomings and weaknesses such as poor awareness of
the role of science, technology and innovation among sectors and localities;
asynchronous legal corridors and policy mechanisms; and restricted science,
technology and innovation capacity, he said.
There is a lack of connections between universities, research institutes and
businesses, PM Phuc said, adding that enterprises should understand that
investing in research and development is the “shortest way” to improve
efficiency, competitiveness, and sustainable development.
Vietnam needs to have a strategic change to boost research and development of
innovative start-ups and technological application in new industries of the
country’s strengths, he said.
Minister of Science and Technology Chu Ngoc Anh said Vietnam leaped two places
to rank 45th out of 126 economies in the GII 2018 report conducted by the World
Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO).
However, to make science become a driving force for the socio-economic
development, it is necessary to increase investment not only from the State but
also society, especially businesses, he said.
Meanwhile, Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Craig Chittick said Vietnam and
Australia have the same ambition of developing the economy through the
application of science, technology and innovation. This is a firm foundation for
the two nations to step up bilateral innovation partnership, he said.
Australia pledged to work closely with Vietnam to share knowledge, experience
and successful models in the field besides helping the Southeast Asian country
improve its science, technology and innovation system, the ambassador affirmed.
The conference, co-organised by the Ministry of Science and Technology, the
Australian Embassy in Vietnam and the International Development Innovation
Alliance (IDIA), was the highlight of the ongoing national sci-tech and
innovation week from May 13-17.
Source: VNA
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