Promoting digital transformation and green transformation.

On the afternoon of June 14th, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Head of the Central Economic Committee Tran Tuan Anh co-chaired the 2023 High-Level Forum and International Exhibition on Industry 4.0. The forum, themed "Promoting Digital Transformation, Rapid Green Transformation, Creating Breakthroughs to Shorten the Process of Industrialization and Modernization of the Country by 2030, with a Vision to 2045," aimed to link the implementation of Resolution No. 29-NQ/TW, dated November 17, 2022, from the 6th Central Committee Meeting, 13th term, on "Continuing to Promote the Industrialization and Modernization of the Country by 2030, with a Vision to 2045."

Transforming the economy from "brown" to "green"

According to a study by the World Bank's East Asia and Pacific region, published in November 2021, Mr. Nguyen Hong Son, Deputy Head of the Central Economic Committee, stated that in Vietnam's manufacturing industry, 70% of products are created using human-operated machinery, 20% are made manually, only 9% use computer-controlled machinery, and less than 1% use more advanced technologies such as robots and 3D additive manufacturing.

A report by CSIRO and the Ministry of Science and Technology , published in March 2021, shows that only a small fraction of Vietnamese businesses participate in innovation activities; the percentage of businesses with R&D (research and development) in manufacturing industries remains very low, such as: electrical equipment 17%, chemicals 15%, food processing 9%, rubber and plastic products 7%, leather and related products 6%, textiles 5%.

Thus, it can be seen that the development of smart manufacturing in Vietnam is facing many intertwined opportunities, difficulties, and challenges. The workshop is an opportunity for domestic and international experts, scientists, and managers to exchange and discuss issues such as promoting the shift from assembly and processing to manufacturing products in line with the "Make in Vietnam" approach.

According to Mr. Nguyen Duy Hung, Deputy Head of the Central Economic Committee, the world is changing rapidly, and green growth is an inevitable trend of sustainable development, a crucial goal for all countries, including Vietnam. This context requires Vietnam to seek new development models, take breakthrough steps, and create a strong transformation to adapt to the new situation, effectively utilizing the opportunities of the fourth industrial revolution, with a focus on digital transformation; and simultaneously transforming the economy from "brown" to "green" for the goal of sustainable development. This transformation can be considered a "double transformation," combining digital transformation and green transformation, creating new growth drivers for the economy in general and each economic sector in particular.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visits an exhibition booth at the forum. Photo: NHAT BAC

Creating breakthroughs to shorten the industrialization and modernization process.

Speaking at the forum, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized that the adaptation and development of each nation in the current digital and globalized era is a major issue, both urgent and long-term, comprehensive and all-encompassing. For Vietnam, clearly aware of the opportunities and requirements, the Government has proactively adapted and innovated for development, first and foremost by continuously striving to build a government capable of managing development in the digital age. At the same time, all levels, sectors, and society as a whole have undergone changes from awareness to action to seize opportunities and adapt to the challenges of the digital age and green growth.

According to the Prime Minister, the Vietnamese Party and State attach great importance to and consider digital transformation, green transformation, and sustainable development as key tasks in the country's industrialization and modernization process; they are considered a new and groundbreaking method to shorten the industrialization and modernization process.

The Prime Minister requested the effective implementation of the National Strategy on Green Growth for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050, to promote green transformation. He urged the active and effective implementation of the contents of the Political Declaration establishing the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) with international partners, maximizing support from international partners in technology transfer, governance, human resource training, and financing, considering JETP as a crucial solution for Vietnam's energy transition; and the successful implementation of the Power Development Plan VIII, approved by the Prime Minister, to achieve emission reduction and balance in accordance with Vietnam's commitments at COP26 and COP27.

"We need to build a strong, self-reliant, and self-sufficient national industry; develop science and technology, and promote innovation to meet the requirements of industrialization and modernization," the Prime Minister emphasized.

The government will continue to focus on improving the institutional framework to promote entrepreneurship and innovation in a way that aligns with market mechanisms and international practices. This includes synchronizing relevant regulations, rules, and policies; establishing pilot mechanisms and venture capital programs to remove bottlenecks and barriers, creating favorable conditions and environments for entrepreneurship and innovation; and encouraging the commissioning and recognition of new products and services to build market confidence.

The Prime Minister stated that resources originate from mindset, motivation from innovation, and strength from the people. Therefore, it is necessary to continue to strongly innovate thinking from management to development-oriented, promptly addressing practical issues with a long-term vision and strategy to guide and direct development.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized that the Vietnamese Government is committed to actively accompanying and cooperating with countries and international organizations to promote digital transformation, enhance green growth, and strongly advance the Fourth Industrial Revolution to bring common peace and prosperity to the peoples of the world.

Prior to the plenary session, a series of four thematic workshops and an international exhibition on Industry 4.0 took place that morning, focusing on key topics such as: Smart manufacturing, artificial intelligence (AI) applications in industry, green transformation, green energy, green finance, and green education…

Source: https://nld.com.vn/thoi-su/day-manh-chuyen-doi-so-va-chuyen-doi-xanh-20230614220203132.htm