Science and technology as driving force, foundation for socio-economic development

Early  November 17, the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) coordinated with provincial People's Committee to organize the 16th Southeastern conference on science and technology at provincial Convention and Exhibition Center. The conference aimed at summarizing and evaluating science-technology and innovation activities in the Southeastern region for the period of 2019-2023, key tasks in the coming time while implementing the Resolution No. 154 of the Government promulgating the Action Program to implement the Politburo’s Resolution No. 24 dated October 7, 2022 on promoting socio-economic development, ensuring national defense and security in the Southeastern region until 2030, with a vision to 2045.

Creating economic breakthrough in a modern direction

The Southeast is the most important and largest dynamic economic region in the country, the economic, political, cultural, scientific, technological and innovation center of the Southern region, with its especially important position and role in the country's socio-economic development. The region's economic structure has continued shifting in a positive direction, focusing on developing industries and services with comparative advantages, creating a high rate of added value. Applying technological advancements and investing in technological innovation, the group of industries using medium-high technologies has increased by about 10% per year. However, the results achieved in science and technology activities have not been commensurate with the region's existing potential, advantages and have not really become a driving force to maintain socio-economic development.

The ceremony signing a cooperation agreement between the Departments of Science and Technology of localities in the Southeastern region to link and share data and information about technology exchanges

At the conference, delegates evaluated the results of the region's science, technology and innovation activities in the period of 2019-2023; focused on exchanging and discussing problems in actual implementation...while contributing ideas and proposing solutions to overcome difficulties to continue promoting science, technology and innovation activities, contributing to promoting science-technology development in each locality as well as the entire region.

Speaking at the conference, Le Xuan Dinh, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology emphasized that the field of science and technology in the Southeast region needs to be summarized, evaluated and reconsidered. Is science and technology truly the driving force and foundation for socio-economic development, synchronization between law and enforcement, and improvement of mechanisms and policies on science and technology? Deputy Minister Le Xuan Dinh requested that in the coming time, provinces in the region need to focus on implementing goals, tasks and solutions, taking science and technology, innovation, digital economy, sharing economy, green economy, circular economy as focus to support rapid and sustainable development to create a breakthrough in the local economy towards modernity; take lead in the field of digital transformation, high technology, clean technology, building and developing key products of localities and the region under the product/value chain; increase investment, effectively use investment resources for science & technology, innovation...

At the conference, there was also a signing ceremony of a cooperation agreement between the Departments of Science and Technology of localities in the Southeastern region in linking and sharing data and operational information of technology trading floors. The ceremony to transfer the regional meeting location in 2025 to Binh Phuoc province also took place.

Binh Duong attaching special importance to investment, development

Being awareness of the meaning, role and importance of science and technology, in addition to focusing on economic development and attracting investment, Binh Duong has always attached special importance to developing, attracting and using talents in science-technology; supporting the development of intellectual property, startup ecosystem and innovation. Activities in the field of science and technology are always of interest to provincial leaders, directing all-level authorities and sectors to seriously implement and enhance the mobilization of all social resources to encourage and call for individuals, organizations and enterprises to actively participate in investment.

The province's socio-economic development achievements over the past time were greatly contributed by the field of science and technology. The increase in technology application and innovation in industrial production, high-tech agriculture, innovation in technology applications in construction, healthcare and services... has helped the local economic growth remain stable.

Speaking at the conference, Nguyen Loc Ha, Member of provincial Party Standing Committee, Vice-Chairman of provincial People's Committee emphasized that in order to attract and develop human resources, especially high-quality ones, to build and perfect the local innovation ecosystem, continuing strategies on developing smart cities, industry 4.0, working with the whole country towards the goal of overcoming the middle income trap, which is becoming one of the strategic requirements and tasks during the local development and construction process, Binh Duong will mobilize its resources to continue developing, taking advantage of the support and coordination of help from relevant agencies, organizations and units to carry out some key contents. The province will further issue more support policies and spend more resources on developing science and technology, especially innovation activities; improve science and technology capacity for institutes and schools, foster innovation ecosystems that have been formed up.

Mr. Ha affirmed that Binh Duong wants to promote the development of cooperative relationships within the region in particular and the whole country in general in the fields of economics, culture and society; especially science and technology to make this field become one of the positive driving forces for regional economic growth.

*Le Xuan Dinh, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology: “Localities need to have solutions to overcome difficulties and challenges, increase investment in science and technology, not only from the State but also from the society, especially businesses, associated with businesses - where research results are transformed into products and goods; strengthen links between institutes, schools and businesses so that businesses truly become the center of the national innovation system. Especially, localities need stronger solutions to attract leading science and technology staff, talented scientists and foreign scientists for coordination and support in solving specific problems of the region and of the country”.

*Nguyen Viet Dung, Director of Ho Chi Minh city’s Department of Science and Technology: “The city's science, technology and innovation activities over the past time obtained important and comprehensive achievements, contributing to creating positive changes for socio-economic development…In the context of the fourth industrial revolution, the city has determined its orientation changing to a growth model based on science, technology and innovation, affirming that the role of science and technology must truly be the driving force for development. However, the specific mechanism to overcome difficulties has not had a breakthrough. For example, there is no open mechanism in implementing and operating projects or programs on science and technology with long-term goals, leading to failure to maintain a strong research center. The current policies for experts and scientists are not really attractive and not competitive enough with foreign markets. Policies to attract investment from businesses and venture capital funds for science, technology and innovation are still weak, not really open and even unreasonable”.

*Nguyen Viet Long, Director of provincial Department of Science and Technology: "In the period of 2021-2030, with a vision to 2040, Binh Duong has continued promoting science, technology and innovation to serve smart city development. Particularly, the province has focused on building breakthrough strategies to develop science-technology and innovation, contributing to the local socio-economic development; created consensus and attracted the participation  of departments, sectors, localities, scientists, science and technology organizations, businesses and social sectors. The province has also focused on implementing projects on science, technology and innovation development to serve the local construction and development of smart urban areas in the new context”.

Reported by Phuong Le-Translated by Kim Tin