Promoting innovation and digital transformation in businesses

Recently, many mechanisms and policies to encourage and support businesses to invest in research and technological innovation have been issued and have had positive impacts, helping businesses improve productivity, quality, and competitiveness of products and services.

In 2023, Vietnam's Global Innovation Index (GII) ranked 46/132 countries and economies, up 5 places compared to 2022. Vietnam is one of the 7 middle-income countries that have made the most progress in innovation over the past decade. In addition, Vietnam is one of 3 countries with innovation results that have exceeded the level of development for 13 consecutive years. Vietnam's startup ecosystem has risen from 5th to 3rd place among the 6 leading economies in Southeast Asia.

At the Forum "Innovation in the context of living transformation and sustainable development" organized by the Economic and Forecast Magazine, Deputy Director of the Department of Enterprise Development (Ministry of Planning and Investment) Trinh Thi Huong said: Currently, policies and programs to support businesses in digital transformation have been issued quite fully, at the same time, tools, digital platforms, digital transformation databases have been built, digital transformation training has been developed and implemented for businesses, for digital transformation consultants, as well as implementing in-depth consulting support for businesses on digital transformation.

"To date, more than 13,800 businesses in 63 provinces and cities nationwide have been directly trained in digital transformation, nearly 400 businesses have received in-depth support in building and implementing a digital transformation roadmap. A network of more than 120 organizations and individuals providing solutions, consulting, and training on digital transformation has been screened, established, trained, and connected with the business community...", Ms. Trinh Thi Huong informed.

Innovation and digital transformation for sustainable agricultural development. Photo: VNA.

According to Mr. Do Tien Thinh, Deputy Director of the National Innovation Center (NIC, Ministry of Planning and Investment), after the Law on Support for Small and Medium Enterprises, the Investment Law, Resolution 98 of the National Assembly... mechanisms and policies have been more comprehensive in terms of investment incentives for creative start-up investment projects and innovation centers (compared to the previous focus on incentives based on industries and investment locations).

The representative of NIC emphasized that the regulation of investment incentives for innovation centers established by enterprises is a big step forward in policy. Incentives for individuals (experts, employees in innovative startups) have initially received attention, developing the innovation ecosystem, and improving national innovation capacity are top priorities of many countries. Mechanisms and policies to support capital sources and pilot mechanisms (sandboxes) for innovation have received more attention and a number of legal documents related to this issue are being studied and revised.

From the practice of pharmaceutical enterprises, Mr. Vuong Dinh Vu - Director of BuyMed, Vietnam Pharmaceutical Enterprises Association said that the pharmaceutical industry is providing digital platforms and technical infrastructure to thoroughly solve the problem of fragmentation, converting to a new distribution model and investing in transfer capacity, at the same time, digitizing processes and promoting online distribution. Thanks to that, the pharmaceutical industry has helped customers access more than 30,000 pharmacies and clinics, saving 75% of time, 80% of working capital and 50% of transportation costs.

However, according to the assessment of the Ministry of Planning and Investment, science and technology have not really become the key driving force for socio-economic development. Enterprises and investors still face many difficulties when implementing investment projects to develop and apply science and technology, and when bringing science and technology products to the market. A large number of enterprises have limited investment in science and technology, with low results.

Currently, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) account for over 97% of the number of enterprises in Vietnam, innovation and digital transformation in SMEs still face many difficulties. Director of the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Fund Phan Thanh Ha said: To promote enterprises in general, SMEs in particular, to innovate, the Fund is supporting the following groups of subjects: SMEs starting creative businesses, SMEs participating in industry clusters, SMEs participating in value chains. Currently, the Fund is supporting SMEs in 4 forms: Direct lending, indirect lending, capital funding, and capacity building support.

From the perspective of policy communication, Ms. Nguyen Thy Nga, Director of the Institute of Policy Management and Development Strategy, Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations, emphasized the necessity of digital transformation, innovation and technology application in policy communication activities.

"The State needs to create favorable policy conditions for private enterprises to participate in policy communication activities and develop platform technologies to store, exploit, disseminate and develop policy communication data. At the same time, it is necessary to strengthen coordination with incubators and digital technology enterprises to improve the application of technology in the field of policy communication, especially in the production of communication products and transfer of communication technology...", Ms. Nguyen Thy Nga suggested.

On May 11, 2022, the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 569/QD-TTg on the "Strategy for development of science, technology and innovation to 2030". In which, the goal is to enhance the contribution of science, technology and innovation to economic growth through scientific research and technology development activities of research institutes and universities, technological innovation activities, and improving management and organizational capacity in enterprises.

According to baotintuc.vn

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