Local sector of industry and trade actively promotes digital transformation

Digital transformation is becoming a trend and an essential driving force for the development of the society in general and businesses, units in particular. In the future, digital transformation will help generate a wealth of material assets in society, many times greater than in previous phases combined. Accompanying this process, Binh Duong province’ sector of industry and trade has always considered digital transformation as one of the sector's essential tasks. In 2024, the sector has initiated numerous activities related to this effort.

Provincial People’s Committee commends and rewards provincial Department of Industry and Trade and 15 collectives for their outstanding achievements in administrative reform, digital transformation, Project No.06 and the smart city project in 2023

Provincial Department of Industry and Trade has focused on building a digital office, digitizing management tasks; developed and launched a database software for the sector, containing 5,659 pieces of updated data and integrated them with the provincial One-Stop Electronic Portal for the submission and processing of documents; shared the sector's management data on provincial Intelligent Operation Center (IOC), thereby helping residents and enterprises easily access sector-related information.

So far, the department has applied digital signatures for 100% of outgoing documents and the digitization rate for administrative records has reached 100%. Additionally, it has pursued international connections and promoted trade to expand markets through online channels. This has facilitated administrative procedures for citizens and enterprises, enhanced the efficiency of the department’s activities, reduced costs, promoted greater transparency and ease in resource allocation and management, helping the department fulfill its assigned tasks more effectively.

Workshop on “the industry and trade sector’s journey of transforming the appearance and digital transformation capacity”

In terms of supporting enterprises, the sector has focused on promoting digital transformation and raising awareness about digital transformation among enterprises. It has worked with other units to organize a workshop on “the industry and trade sector’s journey of transforming the appearance and digital transformation capacity” and a conference on “promoting digital transformation models for industry and trade sector’s businesses in 2024”...

A communication channel has been established to promote trade development and international economic integration within the province via social media platforms, integrated with the department’s electronic information portal and fanpage. Additionally, a pilot program for cashless payments is being implemented in some enterprises under the industry & trade sector and traditional markets.

The sector has strengthened the application of online business models to directly promote products to consumers, increasing enterprises’ revenue and profits; supported small and medium-sized enterprises in upgrading machinery and equipment, applying 4.0 technologies in production and business activities; maintained regular contact, discussions and timely proposals to authorities on enterprises’challenges and difficulties in their operations, especially in promoting digital applications, technological innovation, creativity...

Digital transformation will bring direct benefits to enterprises, increasing productivity and quality, reducing costs and making it easier to reach customers by utilizing customer data to better understand their emotions and desires, enhancing customer service, simplifying management and business operations through process automation, artificial intelligence applications, or virtual robots.

However, digital transformation activities still face many difficulties and challenges. For example, the high investment costs required for digital technology applications, with significant demand for capital, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises. The shift in business habits and practices is not a simple task for most enterprises and may even pose risks to their current business models. There are difficulties for many enterprises in finding and attracting skilled staff and engineers for the digital transformation process. Cyber ​​security issues also pose challenges on digital transformation in terms of equipping high-quality security products and software to enterprises…

An overview of the 2024 “promoting digital transformation models for the industry and trade sector’s businesses” conference held in October 2024

To further promote digital transformation, the sector of industry and trade will focus on the following solutions:

1.Focusing on digital transformation for enterprises in high-quality services, promoting e-commerce, encouraging cashless payments at the demands of developing a modern, civilized urban-industrial environment. Gradually implementing digital transformation for enterprises in industries of textile-garment, footwear, machinery, woodwork as well as in energy production activities, contributing to ensuring sustainable development requirements, implementing the roadmap towards Net-Zero...

2.Strengthening communication efforts; widely disseminating central, local and sectoral directives, resolutions on digital transformation to raise awareness of the application of digital transformation in the industry and trade sector among officials, employees, businesses, production facilities and people. Intensifying the production of articles, news and special reports on digital transformation models in the industry and trade sector. Promoting electronic payments, supporting the e-commerce market, digitizing and building databases in various fields of the sector.

3.Strengthening the implementation of resolutions, programs, plans, projects and initiatives for developing Electronic Government and Digital Government…Developing and implementing smart services and utilities to support management tasks and increase interaction with citizens. Maintaining and regularly upgrading the Department of Industry and Trade’s electronic information portal; piloting and effectively deploying smart urban services integrated with the Electronic Government system based on the platform established at the province’s Intelligent Operation Center. Continuing comprehensive digital transformation and fully digitizing all business processes of the Department of Industry and Trade. Integrating the department's information system with the open database of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, linking it to databases of related sectors on construction, natural resources and environment, planning and investment to create a unified information system for efficient data sharing and utilization. Focusing on completing the reporting and statistical system, integrating advanced technologies like AI and Big Data to support data analysis, assist leadership in making accurate decisions and forecast trends.

4.Researching and advising on programs and plans to support businesses in the province with digital transformation to improve management and business-production efficiency, increasing competitiveness. Upholding the proactive and active roles of associations and businesses in organizing programs to disseminate knowledge on digital technology usage, innovative digital economic models, share experience from successful digital technology companies. Promoting the widespread application of e-commerce among enterprises and consumers, expanding domestic and export markets, with particular emphasis on international markets.

Enterprises visiting an exhibition booth at the 2024 “promoting digital transformation models for industry and trade’s enterprises” conference

5.Collaborating with large-scale and reputable digital organizations and enterprises at home and abroad to organize training sessions for industries’ associations and enterprises on applying digital technology in production and business activities, focusing on skill transformation and offering massive open online courses. Effectively implementing policies to support enterprises getting involved in e-commerce, applying digital technology in payments and buying/selling goods and services. Providing training and encouraging people to participate in the e-commerce market, thereby enhancing competitiveness.

These comprehensive and synchronous solutions for the province’s sector of industry and trade sector’s digital transformation efforts in the coming time are expected to contribute to accelerating the successful implementation of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and promoting digital transformation in all fields.

Reported by Kim Cuc-Translated by Kim Tin