Innovation - important factor for Vietnam's development in new era: PM

Attending the opening ceremony of the Innovate Vietnam 2024 event at the National Innovation Centre (NIC)'s headquarters in Hoa Lac High-tech Park in Hanoi's outlying district of Thach That, PM Chinh stressed that innovation has demonstrated its important role and essential driving force for the development of science and technology in particular and the national development strategies as a whole.

The science and technology boom and the fourth Industrial Revolution has caused profound changes and great influence in the world as well as each country and region, he said, stressing that the Party and State have paid special attention to science-technology and innovation, considering this a top national policy for fast and sustainable development.

The resolution adopted at the 13th National Party Congress affirmed the Party and State's policy to develop science-technology and innovation to create breakthroughs in improving the economy's productivity, quality, efficiency and competitiveness, PM Chinh underscored.

Over the past years, sectors and localities have focused on comprehensively, drastically and effectively carrying out missions and solutions to foster innovation and have obtained important achievements in various domains, contributing to the cause of national construction and protection.

Pointing out three perspectives to promote innovation, the Government leader said that innovation must be a strategic choice, objective requirement, key mission and leading priority to step up industrialisation, modernisation and rapid and sustainable development, while people and enterprises must be placed at the centre, target, motivation and major resources of innovation. Additionally, innovation requires the spirit of daring to think, act, take risks and overcome oneself for the interests of the nation and the bright future of the country.

The Government will focus on completing strategies, mechanisms, policies and measures to step up innovation and startup, creating favourable conditions and protecting the legitimate rights of the business community, investors and people, while directing and requesting ministries, sectors, localities and competent authorities to remove bottlenecks in related activities.

He asked the Ministry of Science and Technology to carry out the semiconductor human resources training project as well as study, review and pen breakthrough mechanisms and policies to bolster innovation and startup while completing a law project on the area in 2024, particularly training programmes on AI, semiconductor and digital skills.

Meanwhile, localities were requested to comprehensively and effectively implement missions and penned measures and facilitate enterprises and people's innovation and startup activities, particularly their access to financial resources, technology infrastructure and high-quality human resources.

The Government, ministries, sectors and localities always value and appreciate feedback to review, amend and improve relevant legal regulations, mechanisms and policies, he said.

PM Chinh expressed his hope that scientists, who create foundations for and are the pioneers in innovation activities as well as research, development and application of scientific-technological advances, will exert their efforts to create more effective products, while asking universities and research institutes to create favourable working conditions and a sound remuneration policy for the scientists.

As for international organisations and partners, PM Chinh hoped that they will help Vietnam with the completion of institutions, financial incentives, technology transfer and human resources training as well as implementation of the innovation process.

Reviewing the five-year operations of the NIC, the PM spoke highly of the efforts and significant contributions by the centre, the Ministry of Science and Technology, sectors, localities and development partners to elevating Vietnam's science-technology and innovation position and prestige in the region and the world.

He ordered the Ministry of Planning and Investment to join hands with relevant ministries and agencies to promote the role of the NIC, with a focus placed on studying and proposing special mechanisms and policies to support high-tech and innovation firms and startups as well as boosting international cooperation to expand the network of experts and scientists.

The government leader described the NIC as the heart of the innovation ecosystem and a foundation for Vietnam's breakthrough and sustainable development and global integration, contributing to developing the country into a source of innovation.

On the occasion, PM Chinh declared October 1 as the national innovation day.

PM Chinh presented certificates of merit to individuals and organisations with great contributions to the nation's innovation ecosystem.

The Innovate Vietnam 2024 is held by the Ministry of Planning and Investment on October 1-2 to mark the fifth anniversary of the NIC. The centre was established by the Government on October 2, 2019, aiming at promoting the innovation ecosystem in Vietnam and helping the nation grasp opportunities from the fourth industrial revolution to make breakthrough development.

Over the past years, it has developed innovation policies to support small and medium-sized enterprises, completed infrastructure and built incentives for innovation. The centre has assisted and incubated more than 1,000 startups, connected over 1,500 domestic and foreign innovation and startup businesses as well as developed an innovation ecosystem with nearly 2,000 members in 20 countries and territories while carrying activities in nine areas of AI, semiconductor, environmental technology, smart urban area, smart factory, healthcare technology, green hydrogen, digital content and cyber security.

Translated by Nguyen Thuy