EUR10 million pledged for second phase of Vietnam-Finland innovation initiative

The figure was announced at the 2013 Vietnam-Finland Innovation Forum: 'From Strategy to Implementation', which opened in Hanoi on October 23.

The two day event, held jointly by Vietnam's Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) and Finland's Ministry for Foreign Affairs, drew the participation of experts from both countries; scientists, managers and representatives of research institutes, universities and the business community.

A range of activities are being held, including seminars and roundtable discussions on national innovation programme management, innovation sponsorship tools, innovation promotion, and university to businesses and business to business co-operation between the two countries.

The forum is expected to bring in innovative ideas and strategic experiences to practical action in order to improve understanding of innovation management and allow businesses and scientists from the two nations to seek appropriate opportunities for co-operation.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Quan said that the forum serves as a bridge between policy makers, scientists, and enterprises from the two countries, allowing them to meet and exchange and to open up new opportunities for further co-operation between Vietnam and Finland, contributing to Vietnam's renewal (Doi Moi) process and improving the country's economic competitiveness.

Minister Quan stressed that Vietnam's future depends on the effectiveness of innovation activities, adding that more knowledge of science, research and education is needed to better meet the demands of business in the global economy.

He went on to stress IPP's great importance during the sprint stage of Vietnam's industrialisation and modernisation process.

Under the first phase of IPP, which has run from 2009-2013 with an investment of 7 million euros, over 300 projects have been proposed and 60 have been implemented, focusing on four main components: developing institutional capacity, building innovation capabilities, financing and supporting the initiatives and innovation projects of enterprises and promoting the Vietnam-Finland partnership.

In particular, the IPP has focused on supporting businesses - the key force in scientific and technological innovation - to spark innovation activities at central and local levels with an emphasis on legal framework, innovation mechanisms, capacity building and technological support for individuals and businesses.

In Vietnam, the IPP is the first Official Development Assistance (ODA) programme in the field of scientific and technological development and innovation. IPP is an effort of the Vietnamese and Finnish governments to promote the development of innovation systems, enhance the effectiveness of the linkages between researchers and entrepreneurs and promote innovation in enterprises to facilitate the formation of new technological businesses.

(Source: Nhandannewspaperonline)