Digital transformation crucial to an independent, self-reliant economy: PM

PM Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the meeting of the National Committee on Digital Transformation in Hanoi on August 8. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 described digital transformation as an important tool for the building of an independent and self-reliant economy and the extensive and effective integration into the world.

He made the remark while chairing the third meeting of the National Committee on Digital Transformation in Hanoi.

The Ministry of Information and Communications reported that digital transformation was promoted strongly and reaped encouraging outcomes in the first half of 2022.

So far, 100% of the enterprises have used e-invoices, e-commerce revenue reached 11.27% of total retail sales (compared to the target of 7%), 66% of the people aged 15 and above had payment accounts (1% higher than the target), 70.91% of the adults owned smartphones (compared to the target of 85%), and 71.75% of all the households used broadband cable internet (compared to the target of 75%).

Digital infrastructure has continued to be improved, with fixed and mobile broadband internet speeds respectively reaching 71.79 Mbps and 35.29 Mbps, up 32.7% and 4.7% year on year.

Besides, 35 national digital platforms have been developed, of which 31 have become operational and four on a trial basis. Ministries and sectors have also coordinated to build 50 other platforms, including 18 serving the formation of a digital government, 16 for a digital economy, and 16 for a digital society.

The third meeting of the National Committee on Digital Transformation in Hanoi on August 8. (Photo: VNA)

Breakthroughs have also been recorded in the digital economy, whose added value has made up about 10.41% of GDP, according to the ministry.

However, certain difficulties and shortcomings still exist, including the shortages of capable personnel and funding for the task and the lack of monitoring mechanisms.

PM Chinh, who is also head of the national committee, said digital transformation needs constant reforms, a breakthrough mindset, a strategic vision, proactiveness, and creativity.

He underlined the importance of mobilising every resource for the work, especially through the public - private partnership, while ensuring harmonious interests among the State, people, and enterprises.

He asked ministers, heads of ministry-level bodies and Government agencies, chairpersons of the provincial-level People’s Committees, and the steering committees for digital transformation of ministries, sectors, and localities to drastically carry out the assigned tasks under the national digital transformation programme, the national strategy for developing the digital Government, and the national strategy for developing the digital economy and society to meet the targets for 2022.

The Government leader also gave out duties to each ministry and sector while requesting businesses, particularly those in the information, communications, and science - technology industries, to play an active role in the national digital transformation process./.

VNA