"A nation that is innovative and creative will win in the new era."

Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Manh Hung gave a speech at the meeting.

Speaking at the meeting, Minister Nguyen Manh Hung said that the Party and State always consider science and technology as a top national policy, with spending on science and technology accounting for 2% of the total annual state budget. However, the reality is that despite significant investment, science and technology still lacks specific outputs and has not yet created a clear impact on the economy. The Minister shared that innovation is the application of new technology to create new products, processes, new business and management models, etc., thereby enhancing national competitiveness and improving people's quality of life. Innovation determines the effectiveness of science and technology and makes a practical contribution to the country's socio-economic development.

Regarding the National Assembly's approval of the Law on Science, Technology and Innovation in May, the Minister said that this is the first time that innovation has been placed on par with science and technology. For the first time in history, the creation of a new application, product, service, or business model from platform technology is valued. Innovation creates great added value. The State plays a supporting role in connecting the relationship between enterprises - institutes - the State.

At the meeting, representatives of the Department of Innovation, the Department of Startups and Technology Enterprises, and the National Innovation Fund informed about the operation situation, clarified some contents related to the functions and tasks of performing the state management role and the contributions of the unit to socio-economic development. The delegates discussed to remove difficulties and obstacles and proposed the development orientation of the unit in the coming time.

From left to right: Mr. Nguyen Mai Duong, Director of the Department of Innovation; Mr. Pham Hong Quat, Director of the Department of Startups and Technology Enterprises; Mr. Nguyen The Ich, Deputy Director in charge of the National Innovation Fund, reported at the meeting.

Sharing about the issue of industrial innovation, the Minister emphasized the importance of industrial innovation in quickly impacting labor productivity and GDP growth. Therefore, it is necessary to establish industrial innovation centers in each industry and each province to provide support. To promote innovation, it is necessary to apply preferential tax policies (import tax exemption, corporate income tax reduction... and especially financial support for small and medium enterprises in innovating equipment and technological processes. In addition, each industry, unit and locality should have a unit for innovation consulting. The National Innovation Fund will sponsor consulting activities based on learning international experience from countries with high GDP. At the same time, businesses should be allowed to use their Science and Technology Development Fund to invest in creative startups. Localities should also establish a Venture Capital Fund to support innovation projects. For the National Innovation Fund, the Minister proposed selecting funded projects according to national priorities such as strategic technology, strategic products and strategic industries. At the same time, localities will develop their own priority lists.

Overview of the working session.

The Minister emphasized the role of standards in the development of science, technology, innovation and digital transformation. According to the Minister, standards are an important factor in creating space for the development of science, technology, innovation and digital transformation.

Regarding the innovative startup ecosystem, the Minister said that it is necessary to create an environment, connection and co-development, with clear goals and sustainable development. An important requirement for innovative startups is to have breakthroughs, solve social problems and change the market. At the same time, it is necessary to evaluate and measure the effectiveness of innovative activities, find out the impact model of innovative activities on the economy, improve national competitiveness and people's lives.

Concluding the meeting, Minister Nguyen Manh Hung suggested that the Department of Innovation, the Department of Startups and Technology Enterprises, and the National Innovation Fund should soon develop an action program for the period from 2025 to 2030 and orient development with a long-term vision in the coming time. The units need to determine the order of priority in implementing activities related to innovation, including: Developing a set of criteria to evaluate the effectiveness of innovation activities and developing an innovation startup ecosystem according to international standards; Identifying the role of the National Innovation Fund in supporting innovation activities such as training and consulting; allowing large enterprises to use the Science and Technology Development and Innovation Fund to invest in creative startups./.

Center for Research and Development of Science and Technology Communication

Source: https://mst.gov.vn/mot-dan-toc-pho-cap-duoc-doi-moi-sang-tao-thi-dat-nuoc-do-se-chien-thang-trong-ky-nguyen-moi-197250325102738472.htm