Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh holds policy dialogue with localities and businesses

On the afternoon of September 25, in Ho Chi Minh City, within the framework of the 5th Ho Chi Minh City Economic Forum (HEF) in 2024, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired the Policy Dialogue session.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chairs the Policy Dialogue session. (Photo: Nguyen Van Binh)

Attending the Policy Dialogue between the Prime Minister, leaders of central ministries and branches, leaders of provinces/cities with guests, domestic and international corporations were Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, leaders of central ministries and branches (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Industry and Trade, Ministry of Planning and Investment, Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Ministry of Information and Communications, Ministry of Finance , State Bank), leaders of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, leaders of several Vietnamese provinces/cities and large domestic and international enterprises and corporations.

Industrial transformation of Ho Chi Minh City: Needs Government support

Speaking at the dialogue, Member of the City Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Vo Van Hoan expressed his joy that HEF 2024 received the attention of leaders of central ministries and branches; leaders of localities, experts, enterprises, large domestic and international investors, especially the participation of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at the Policy Dialogue Session.

This demonstrates the interest of Government leaders, the business community, and investors as well as the importance and practical value of HEF with the theme “Industrial transformation, a new driving force for sustainable development of Ho Chi Minh City.”

Mr. Vo Van Hoan said that the breakthrough technological development in the Industrial Revolution 4.0 has been and is strongly affecting all aspects of social life. The Industrial Revolution 4.0 also creates many opportunities for countries, especially Southeast Asian countries like Vietnam; thanks to digital economic transformation, we can shorten the development gap to break through. However, this Revolution also creates many challenges.

Regarding the City's economy, in the past 5 years, the economy has continued to develop steadily, playing the role of a multi-faceted center of the region and the country; an economic, financial, commercial, scientific - technological, and innovation center of the region and the country. Every year, Ho Chi Minh City contributes 20% of GRDP, 25% of the budget revenue and the whole country.

In the economic development of the City, the industry plays an important role and accounts for a high proportion of contribution. From 2016 to present, with the economic restructuring of Ho Chi Minh City, the industry has had strong and steady development steps based on 4 key industries: mechanics; electronics - information technology; pharmaceuticals - rubber and plastics and food processing.

“These are industries with high technology content and added value, creating positive spillover effects on other economic sectors,” the Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee emphasized.

Overview of the Policy Dialogue session between the Prime Minister, leaders of central ministries and branches, leaders of provinces/cities with guests, domestic and international corporations.

In addition to the achievements, Mr. Vo Van Hoan realized that the city's industry is facing challenges such as: Unsustainable development; processing and assembly still account for a high proportion; low added value; technology after more than 30 years of investment and development is now outdated; using a lot of resources; labor intensive; slow development of supporting industry; distribution of export processing zones and industrial parks is no longer suitable, some industrial parks are currently located in the core area of ​​the city.

To overcome the above limitations; Ho Chi Minh City leaders affirmed: "The transformation of the City's industry is extremely urgent and necessary".

Vice Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City informed that the city's industry must develop in the direction of high-tech industry; electronic chip, microchip, semiconductor industry; supporting industry; green industry associated with digital transformation; developing a system of services supporting industrial production such as logistics, digital services (including information and communication), financial services, etc.

In particular, new industries must be formed such as new energy industry, pharmaceutical industry, cultural industry, cinema, etc.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and leaders of ministries and sectors have a dialogue with businesses and localities. (Photo: Nhat Bac)

At the same time, the City's industrial transformation must be closely linked with provinces/cities in the Southeast region, the Mekong Delta region and the whole country.

To successfully transform the City's industry, the Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee affirmed that, in addition to the efforts of businesses and investors, the support of the Government, central ministries and localities is needed.

First of all, it is necessary to build strong and feasible incentive policies of the Central Government and the City according to their authority; continue to reform administrative procedures, improve the investment environment, help businesses and investors effectively access resources according to market mechanisms and seek support and cooperation from international organizations and countries around the world.

Mr. Vo Van Hoan added that Resolution No. 31-NQ/TW of the Politburo on the direction and tasks of developing Ho Chi Minh City until 2030, with a vision to 2045 and Resolution No. 98/2023/QH15 of the National Assembly on piloting special mechanisms and policies for the development of Ho Chi Minh City have opened up great opportunities for the City. However, in the process of implementation, there will certainly be difficulties and shortcomings.

Therefore, the policy dialogue session at HEF 2024 is an opportunity for businesses to reflect their recommendations and policies so that the Government and the City authorities can listen and seek solutions to build policies to promote the industrial transformation process in Ho Chi Minh City and localities nationwide.

“The City always recognizes that the success of businesses and investors in the process of industrial transformation in general and production and business in particular is the success of the City, contributing to adding motivation for the City to develop strongly in the spirit of 'Ho Chi Minh City for the whole country, the whole country for Ho Chi Minh City', for the common prosperity of the country", said Mr. Vo Van Hoan.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh believes that after HEF 2024, everyone will leave with an additional 'gift'. In addition to the warm and cozy feelings of the organizing unit, that 'gift' is the knowledge that the Forum brings. (Photo: Nhat Bac)

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh expressed his joy and pride in Ho Chi Minh City.

Next, Dr. Tran Du Lich, Chairman of the Advisory Council for the implementation of Resolution 98, moderated the dialogue session.

Speaking at the opening of the dialogue session, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh expressed his joy and pride in Ho Chi Minh City when HEF was organized for the 5th time, with an increasingly larger scale, more diverse audiences, deeper issues, and received the attention of international friends and partners.

The theme of this year’s Forum is industrial transformation. This is a very broad topic and also represents the distinct potential, outstanding opportunities, and competitive advantages of Ho Chi Minh City; it is a topical international topic.

Therefore, the Prime Minister commented: “The Forum is very meaningful to Ho Chi Minh City, to Vietnam and to international friends and partners. This is an opportunity to exchange experiences, share, learn from each other; move towards cooperation, sharing, listening, sharing vision and action, working together, enjoying together, winning together, having joy, happiness and pride together.

I am sure that after HEF 2024, everyone will leave with an additional 'gift'. In addition to the warm and cozy feelings of the organizing unit, that 'gift' is the knowledge that the Forum brings. From morning until now, I have also received a lot from the Forum."

Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Tran Quoc Phuong at the policy dialogue with localities and businesses. (Photo: Nhat Bac)

Digital transformation and green transformation need to go hand in hand

At the dialogue, answering the question of what priority policies the Government has, is and will do to support businesses to accelerate the process of economic transformation, first of all for the industrial sector, Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Tran Quoc Phuong informed that in terms of overall policies, the country has had different levels of documents for economic transformation in general in a broad sense and industrial transformation in particular, with special emphasis on innovation and creativity.

Currently, the major policies of the Party and State have been specified in the 10-year strategy approved by the 13th Party Congress; clearly outlining the guidelines, policies and decisions related to economic restructuring associated with specific goals of improving the quality and efficiency of the economy, improving labor productivity and enhancing the competitiveness of the economy.

In terms of specific implementation, there are also documents that businesses can refer to, such as the 5-year and annual plans, which outline specific steps in restructuring the economy.

Deputy Minister Tran Quoc Phuong emphasized three key areas in economic transformation: Restructuring the State budget; Restructuring State-owned enterprises; Restructuring public investment.

Regarding the issue of promoting transformation in the industrial sector, the Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment mentioned two transformation processes (dual transformation), namely digital transformation and green transformation, which need to go hand in hand.

Recently, the Prime Minister issued two important decisions: Approving the Strategic Project for the Development of the Semiconductor Industry in Vietnam and the Project for Training High-Quality Human Resources for the Semiconductor Industry and Chip Manufacturing.

“These are two key decisions for us to enter a new phase of promoting stronger economic transformation in the fields of innovation, digital transformation and green transformation,” said Deputy Minister Phuong.

Regarding this issue, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh added that Vietnam's industrialization and modernization must be consistent with the country's conditions and world trends. The Government must have a firm grasp of the international, regional and domestic situations related to industrialization and modernization.

The Prime Minister emphasized a number of issues such as: Vietnam must build and perfect institutions. At the same time, build mechanisms and policies to mobilize resources; promote infrastructure development, especially digital infrastructure, transport infrastructure, climate change response infrastructure, green development and social infrastructure, health, education and culture.

At the same time, form a management suitable for transformation. Have a roadmap, plan, and steps to train human resources.

In addition, it is necessary to mobilize the help and sharing of experience and resources from friends and international partners, because transformation is an objective requirement, a strategic choice, and a top priority, especially in the direction of digital transformation and green transformation.

Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Le Cong Thanh answers questions about the action program related to the circular economy. (Photo: Nhat Bac)

Circular Economy: The Trend of the Times

Answer questions about This action program is to create an expectation for businesses, especially the trend of developing a circular economy, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Le Cong Thanh said, developing a digital economy, digital transformation, green transformation and developing a circular economy have become the trend of the times, of the whole world. Our Vietnam is also developing an economy in line with the trend of the times.

Currently, the Government has assigned the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to develop a National Action Plan on Circular Economy. The Draft Plan sets out 5 viewpoints, objectives, 5 groups of tasks, and solutions with specific programs and tasks for each sector.

In particular, in the solution task groups, there is a support group for businesses to promote the application of circular economy in production activities, a solution group to strengthen waste management and policies on green credit and green bonds.

"Learning from the experiences of countries around the world, Vietnam will also have to continue to amend environmental protection laws to limit scrap imports and encourage the collection and use of domestic scrap as raw materials for production," Deputy Minister Thanh emphasized.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh added that the world has been implementing circular economy for a long time and Vietnam has also implemented it, but in the context of resource depletion, environmental pollution, and population growth, this issue has just received adequate attention, with the goal of making circular economy a trend and movement.

The Communist Party of Vietnam is determined not to sacrifice the environment to pursue economic growth alone. One of the solutions to protect the environment is to develop a circular economy, which both helps reduce resource consumption and makes use of raw materials such as using waste to produce electricity.

The Party's policy is very clear, the law is being gradually improved. Vietnam in general and the Government in particular are focusing on two contents: Raising awareness and building mechanisms and policies to mobilize resources from the people, all people participate in implementing the circular economy. This is an important and decisive factor.

Deputy Minister Nguyen Minh Hang affirmed that economic diplomacy has never been promoted as it is now. (Photo: Nguyen Van Binh)

Economic diplomacy is the task of the entire political system.

To Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Hang , Dr. Tran Du Lich asked: The role of foreign economic relations has been very important for a long time. In the future, how will economic diplomacy be applied to attract strategic investment?

Deputy Minister Nguyen Minh Hang affirmed: "Economic diplomacy has never been promoted as it is now. This is the policy that the Party has directed and directed since the beginning of this term. The Party has determined that economic diplomacy is the central basic task of Vietnamese diplomacy. Economic diplomacy is the task of the entire political system, the driving force for rapid and sustainable economic development."

In that spirit, the Prime Minister has given very strong direction to concretize the Party's policy.

In recent times, the Prime Minister has directly directed economic diplomacy and in fact we have seen very clear results in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. At that time, the Prime Minister directed economic diplomacy to focus on vaccine diplomacy, thereby creating a turnaround.

Currently, the Prime Minister also continues to direct ministries and branches, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to continue to promote economic diplomacy and diplomacy must also create breakthroughs in attracting external resources to serve the country's development.

Currently, under the direction of the Government, economic diplomacy is focusing on 5 major orientations:

Firstly, continue to implement Vietnam's foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralization, diversification, being a friend, a reliable partner, and a responsible member of the international community. In particular, continue to create a peaceful and stable environment favorable for development and promote partnerships.

Second, the Prime Minister regularly directs to promote growth momentum including: promoting investment attraction, trade, tourism, digital transformation, and green transformation.

Third, economic diplomacy must promote three strategic breakthroughs in institutions, infrastructure and human resources.

Fourth, economic diplomacy must grasp the trend of the times. This is done by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, other ministries, sectors and through today's conference so that we can grasp the latest trend of the times and the international situation to apply to the situation of the country.

Fifth, economic diplomacy must be linked with localities and businesses.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said that economic diplomacy must ultimately bring the Vietnamese economy into the global value chain, global supply chain, global production chain; expand markets and partners, such as new markets in the Middle East, South America, Africa, etc.

"We have done well, we must do better," the Prime Minister said.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao, Chairwoman of SAVICO Group, asked a question at the Policy Dialogue session. (Photo: Nhat Bac)

Ms. Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao, Chairwoman of SAVICO Group, asked: What long-term strategies does the Government have to encourage public-private partnerships (PPP) to create growth momentum and promote innovation for key industries?

The Prime Minister affirmed: "Vietnam identifies the private economy as an important driving force of the economy. We must continue to remove institutional obstacles, amend laws, especially the Law on Public-Private Partnership; encourage exchanges and cooperation among economic sectors, between the private economy and the state economy in the spirit of sharing, understanding and companionship."

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Van Nen presented flowers to the founding members and members of the C4IR management board. (Photo: Nhat Bac)

After the Policy Dialogue session, the launching ceremony of the founding members and board members of the Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) took place.

C4IR is the result of cooperation between the Vietnamese Government and the World Economic Forum (WEF) for the period 2023-2026. This is the second center in Southeast Asia after Malaysia and the 19th in the world to join the WEF global network.

In Vietnam, C4IR operates under a public-private partnership model, leveraging the knowledge and experience of the global C4IR network to provide support and propose solutions and policies in line with national orientations and international trends in technology around the world.

HEF is an annual international event hosted by the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee with the aim of receiving contributions from domestic and international speakers and experts on the socio-economic development fields of the City in general and the City's key projects, goals and programs in particular.

The 5th HEF 2024 takes place from September 24-27 with a series of events related to industrial transformation.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/dien-dan-kinh-te-tp-ho-chi-minh-2024-thu-tuong-pham-minh-chinh-doi-thoai-chinh-sach-voi-dia-phuong-doanh-nghiep-287602.html