WEF ASEAN 2018: Deputy PM talks with business leaders

Hanoi,  (VNA) – Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue had a dialogue with executives of 40 global corporations and five domestic enterprises in the framework of the WEF ASEAN 2018 in Hanoi, to listen to their recommendations on developing a startup ecology, helping Vietnam achieve rapid and sustainable development.  

The Deputy PM said the Vietnamese Government has defined three major tasks, which are proactively promoting international economic integration; accelerating economic institution reform and improving the investment-business environment for the private sector; and mobilizing all resources for infrastructure and socio-economic development and human resources.

The foreign business leaders said they were impressed by Vietnam’s socio-economic development and hoped the country will achieve sustainable development to facilitate business and production.

Mantosh Malhotra, regional head for Qualcomm in Southeast Asia and Pacific, said the group has worked with Viettel and Vingroup (of Vietnam) and found many interesting things for cooperation.

A representative from Airbus said the group has invested in Vietnam’s IT giant FPT to build linkage platforms, while medical equipment maker Sysmec appreciated FPT’s hi-tech human resource.

The business leaders wanted to know the Vietnamese Government’s vision on 5G, Internet of Thing and digital technology not only at national but also global level. They asked about Vietnam’s State regulations on building financial database and developing fintech, solutions to accelerate the equitisation and divestment of State capital at State-owned enterprises.

Technology groups, including Amazon and Grab, said they are willing to share experience with Vietnam to help the country develop a cashless payment system. They expressed the hope that the Vietnamese Government will hold more dialogues with businesses.

Deputy PM Hue appreciated the recommendations of the foreign business leaders, noting that the Government had assigned relevant ministries and sectors to integrate contents related to data building and application of science-technology in governance, production and business in the strategy on participating in the scientific-technological revolution, developing infrastructure connectivity and human resources in 2017.

He informed that the Vietnamese Government is instructing the connection of database on population, social insurance, finance and administration among ministries and local administrations, and facilitation of the development of Vietnam’s social networks.

The Government will hold a capital market conference at the end of this year under the chair of the Prime Minister to listen to opinions of experts and businesses, he said, adding that Vietnam also needs advice from other countries and partners on building an ecology for the digital economy.

Vietnam is of the view that the fourth industrial revolution will bring more opportunities than challenges, he said.-VNA