The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Information and Communications and the Ho Chi Minh City Computer Association (HCA) have signed a cooperation agreement, intended to boost the development of the city's information and communication technology sector.

Under the document inked on February 28, the two sides will cooperate on research projects into ICT's human resources, as well as gather opinions on how to develop the sector's human resources between now and 2020.

They will hold annual events such as seminar on Vietnam's information and communication technologies, and electronics and communication technology fair, as well as work together to generate business opportunities for local firms.

In addition, they will offer short training courses for ICT firms.

Chu Tien Dung, HCA chairman, said the association will also begin building a database for the industry to help investors draw out better business strategies.

Dung said enterprises should focus more on developing applications based on new technology like cloud computing, big data and mobility, to catch up with global technology trends.

According to ICT firms, there is a strong demand for software products based on new technologies like cloud computing and mobility. However, a shortage of professional human resources, has prevented domestic firms from meeting big export orders, they said.

They called for closer cooperation between the relevant associations, agencies and businesses, to help develop human resources in the ICT industry.

On the same day, the HCA also signed a cooperation agreement with the Vietnam Electronics Industries Association, the Vietnam Information Security Association, the HCM City Semi-Conductor Industry Association and the HCM City Young Business People Association, with the aim of sharing information and supporting one another's future development.-VNA