Overview of the working session between the Vietnamese delegation and French Minister of State for Economy, Industry and Digital Technology (Photo: VNA) At a meeting with BertrandPailhes, French Minister of State for Economy, Industry and Digital Technologyon November 28, Tuan noted that since the two countries set up their strategicpartnership in 2013, bilateral cooperation has thrived in all fields, includinginformation and communication technology (ICT).
France is the largest European provider of officialdevelopment assistance (ODA) to Vietnamfor developing telecommunications infrastructure, contributing to the growth ofthe ICT sector and economic development.
He expressed hope thatFrench businesses, with their advantages in capital, information and experiencein international business, will continue investing in Vietnam.
The two sides showeddelight that State management agencies of both sides have strengthened exchangesof information on new service development, information safety and security aswell as the management of radio and television, and telecommunication businessrestructuring and ensured a healthy competitive environment.
France has assisted Vietnam in organising conferencesto share experience and seek investment opportunities in the field, they noted.
The French side has also transferredtechnology and supported human resource development in Vietnam, while the FrenchGovernment has granted a number of scholarships to Vietnamese students in satellitestudies.
On November 29, MinisterTuan attended a meeting of Vietnamese and French ICT firms, which featured morethan 20 French enterprises.
Frederic Rossi, DeputyGeneral Director for export of the Business France lauded Vietnam’s dynamism in ICT. He notedthat the sector has enjoyed annual growth of 20 percent since 2000, accountingfor 7.5 percent of the country’s GDP in 2015.
He highlighted the highpotential of the Vietnamese ICT market, expressing delight that French Tech,which groups about 120 French and Vietnamese ICT firms, was established in Vietnamin October this year.
Vietnamese businesses,including Viettel and FPT, have also entered the French market, he noted.
Minister Tuan said that Vietnam’sICT sector is growing strongly with deep international integration, creatingopportunities for foreign investors in the field. He said he believes thatthrough the meeting, ICT firms of both sides will set up partnerships.
The same day, the ministerheld talks with French Minister of State for State Reform and Simplification Jean-Vincent Place,during which he said that the Vietnamese Government considers ICT a spearheadsector and important for the country’s growth.
Vietnam has implemented several programmes and plans forthe sector’s development, focusing on spreading ICT to develop e-government ande-business, as well as the building of smart cities and smart transportation,he said.
Jean-Vincent Place pledged to support French firms who wish to investin Vietnam’sICT and digital technology.
Following the talks, Tuanand Jean-Vincent Placesigned a letter of intent on Vietnam-France cooperation in e-administration,which serves as a legal foundation for French ICT firms to enter the Vietnamesemarket.
During their stay, theMinistry of Information and Communications delegation also met with leaders ofFrance Medias Monde, the owner of many radio and television channels, includingthe France 24 TV channel.
France 24 channel’s director Marc Saikali thanked theministry for licencing the English version of France24 to be aired in Vietnam,expressing hope that the French version will be allowed in the country soon.
On the occasion, thedelegation also visited a centre for research and development of technologicalappliance of Nokia-Alcatel Lucent in Nozay town in Ile-de-France.-VNA
VNA
