Ho Chi Minh City Innovation Startup and Entrepreneurship Week 2017 (Photo phapluatplus.com)HCM City (VNA) – The innovative start-up conference and technology expo held in Ho Chi Minh City on October 27-28 is expected to create new opportunities for Vietnamese and Finnish businesses, investors and universities in the fields of education and training as well as developing smart and innovative cities and building a start-up innovation ecosystem, said Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Tran Quoc Khanh.
He said the Government of Vietnam has been continuously affirming its strong commitment of boosting start-up innovation activities, which is considered an important solution to increasing the quantity and quality of Vietnamese businesses, he said.
Vietnam's southern economic hub is expected to take the lead nationwide in investment resources for the establishment of a start-up innovation ecosystem, he added.
Finnish Ambassador to Vietnam Kari Kahiluoto shared that the relations between Vietnam and Finland have seen strong development over the past few years, not only in trade cooperation but also science and technology, including innovation.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Le Thanh Liem said HCM City defines sustainable economic development model toward intellectual economy and green growth based on science-technology, innovation, and start-ups.
The initiative of hosting the Ho Chi Minh City Innovation Startup and Entrepreneurship Week 2017 from October 23-28 demonstrates its commitment to facilitating, supporting and accompanying start-up businesses with a view to turning HCM City into a start-up and innovative city in the country and beyond, he said.
He noted that local authorities have put forth a number of policies and mechanisms to support start-up and innovation activities such as launching a programme to support small-and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and improving their competitiveness and international integration in 2016-2020, implementing the Government’s Resolution supporting businesses through 2020, and planning to improve the start-up ecosystem in the city.
The city has also actively participated in international cooperation programmes such as the Finland Innovation Partnership Programme (IPP) and the Vietnam Sillicon Valley, he added.-VNA
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