Overseas Vietnamese intellectuals and experts gathered at a forum in Hanoi on June 7, contributing their opinions to the country’s economic development and integration during 2016-2020.

Themed “Improving Vietnam’s competitiveness in the global economy”, the forum was co-organised by the Party Central Committee’s Economic Commission, the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs, and the Foreign Ministry.

Speaking at the event, Vice State President Nguyen Thi Doan said that Vietnam has gained many achievements in all fields as a result of the nearly 30-year renewal (Doi Moi) process, but various weaknesses have also revealed themselves, which affected the country’s competitiveness in the international arena.

The weaknesses must be removed to ensure the country’s development on the right track and successful integration, she said, thus hailing the right move in organising the forum to hear the opinions of the overseas Vietnamese intellectuals, many of whom are working for prestigious universities, research institutes, transnational economic groups and international organisations.

Their knowledge, experience and skills have contributed to the country’s fast and sustainable growth, she said, adding that the Party and State always appreciate these valuable contributions.

At the forum, overseas Vietnamese intellectuals joined their domestic colleagues and policy makers in discussing growth model reform, economic restructuring, human resources training and science and technology application in order to raise Vietnam’s competitiveness.

They also shared other countries’ experience in industrialisation and modernisation.

They proposed the annual or regular organisation of a Business Forum for both domestic and overseas intellectuals, experts and scientists.-VNA