Forum promotes digital connectivity amid 4th Industrial Revolution

Hanoi (VNA) - The acceptance of transition in multinational corporations' production chain could turn Vietnam into a leading centre in the region for manufacturing telecommunication and IT devices, and those using internet of things (IoT), said Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Phan Tam on September 27.

In his speech at the Vietnam ICT Investment Forum (VIIF) in Hanoi, Tam stressed the need for Vietnam to focus on developing domestic telecommunications industry and IT, and promoting foreign direct investment (FDI) attraction to the field.

The top priority should be given to encouraging digital infrastructure development, including broadband and database infrastructure; completing 4G mobile network, and deploying 5G, towards meeting the requirements of IoT development in the time to come.

In addition, in order to participate in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Vietnam needs to develop human resources and promote digital skill training so that workers are equipped with skills that enable them to meet future work requirements, Tam added.

The ministry has proposed the Government to devise priority policies to meet and create momentum for the transformation of economic, industrial and service sectors, he noted.

Addressing the event, Deputy Minister of Communication of India Ravi Kant emphasized the desire to promote cooperation between India and ASEAN member countries, including Vietnam, to expand its IT exports.

India is interested in developing sustainable infrastructure and digital innovation, taking full advantage of qualified IT human resources who are capable of working in many markets around the world, he said.

Meanwhile, Swedish Ambassador Pereric Hogberg shared the country’s experience in the use of IT, innovation and digital services in urban and rural areas to make it one of the leading technology countries in the world.

Participants at the forum also shared information on emerging technology issues in the world such as 5G technology, solutions related to cloud computing, initiatives and digital connection projects among ASEAN countries, and measures for ensuring information security for digital connection.

The forum showed the importance of digital connectivity in the Fourth Industry Revolution, contributing to encouraging Vietnamese enterprises to foster investment cooperation with peers in countries in the Mekong-sub region and Southeast Asia in the field.

On the sidelines of the event, the exhibition “India-ASEAN ICT Expo” is being held on September 27-28, featuring products from 30 Vietnamese and Indian IT and telecom enterprises. The exhibitors introduce products, services, telecommunication and IT solutions with the application of IoT in traffic management, agriculture and banking serving the development of smart cities.

In recent years, the Vietnamese Government has determined to build visions, orientations and policies in all sectors to fully tap the advantages of the Fourth Industry Revolution-VNA