Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan has urged the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) to step up the implementation of a project to make Vietnam a power in information and communications technology (ICT).

The Deputy PM made the instruction at the MIC’s year-end conference in Hanoi to review its work in 2012 and launch tasks in 2013.

Nhan said the government will set up a national committee headed by the Prime Minister to oversee the implementation of this project as well as efforts to make the information and communications one of the key sectors of the country.

He also asked the ministry to promote the application of information technology in state agencies.

In terms of state management in the fields of journalism and publishing, the PM suggested that the MIC should design mechanism to encourage press agencies to improve their quality and participate more actively in the preservation, protection and development of Vietnam’s historical and cultural values.

Participants at the conference agreed that in 2012, the ministry basically completed its tasks of building and issuing regulations and legal norms in areas under its charge, thus completing the legal framework for the development of the ICT sector.

The IT and telecoms markets continued to see strong growth, with many companies expanding operations to other countries. The management of press and publishing has been improved, ensuring that they develop in line with the Party’s orientation and State law.

On the occasion, Nhan presented former Minister of the MIC Do Trung Ta with the Independence Order and Deputy Minister Nguyen Thanh Hung with the Labour Order, second class. -VNA