Industry Minister questioned on reforestation, hi-tech application

Hanoi (VNA) – Minister of Industry and Trade Vu Huy Hoang answered deputies’ queries on reforestation and advanced technology application in industrial production at a Q&A during the 13th National Assembly’s 10th session on November 16.

He said the ministry worked closely with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, with the active participation of localities and relevant investors, to replant forests to make up for the development of hydropower projects.

Hoang said that the reforestation for the hydropower projects will be completed within this year under a plan by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Vietnam Administration of Forestry.

Regarding the application of advanced technologies in industrial production, Minister Hoang said the ministry has worked with the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) to implement a number of programmes, including a plan to develop several hi-tech industries by 2020, and a programme to develop hi-tech industries under the national high-tech development programme.

Since 2011, a number of new technologies have been applied in production and brought about more economic efficiency.

However, the application of science and technology in industrial products has yet to achieve the necessary results.

Therefore, in the coming time, the ministry will collaborate with the MoST and relevant agencies to better policies related to high technology and technology renovation. First they will adjust criteria to grant investment licences to hi-tech businesses to encourage investment in the field.

Attention will be paid to speeding up the implementation of projects on the application of new technology in industry and production, and taking advantage of opportunities brought by free trade agreements.

Minister Hoang also admitted that the building process for the criteria that will define a hi-tech business remains slow.

As such, his ministry will work with the MoST to design a set of criteria and submit it to the Government for approval.-VNA