Vietnamese innovative startups should strive to become regional, international “unicorns”: PM

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and other delegates visit an exhibition displaying innovative startup products and services. (Photo: VNA)

Binh Duong (VNA) – Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh urged domestic innovative startups to work harder to become “unicorns” of the region and the world while addressing the key ceremony of the National Innovative Entrepreneurship Day 2022 (Techfest Vietnam 2022) in the southern province of Binh Duong on December 3.

The Party and the State always advocate stepping up the growth model based on scientific-technological applications and innovations in order to raise productivity, quality and competitiveness of the national economy, he stressed, referring to a range of relevant policies and guidelines adopted by the Party and the State as well as projects launched by the Government, ministries, agencies and localities in support of startups.   

Highlighting Vietnam’s increasing position in international rankings in this regard, the PM, however, pointed to the gap between Vietnam and countries in the region and the world in the innovative startup ecosystem.

To narrow the gap, ministries, agencies and localities should take solutions associated with innovative startups, combine internal and external resources, and carry forward traditions, culture and the spirit of solidarity and self-reliance of Vietnamese people in these efforts, the PM noted.

The State has directed, coordinated and devised institutions and policies, and created a favourable environment for innovative startups, he affirmed.

Chinh expressed his hope that through Techfest, managers, investors, scientists, innovative startups, and localities will get valuable experience to further support the domestic ecosystem, and called for more contributions to it.

In his remarks, Minister of Science and Technology Huynh Thanh Dat said Techfest Vietnam 2022 seeks solutions to the sectors greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and having potential such as health care, education and energy.

Earlier, PM Chinh and other delegates visited an exhibition displaying innovative startup products and services.

Held annually since 2015, Techfest Vietnam aims to promote innovative solutions from startups in the age of rapidly developing technology, and attract experts, intellectuals, domestic entrepreneurs and overseas Vietnamese to develop the economy.

Themed "Open Innovation Ecosystem - The Next Big Think", this year’s edition takes place from December 2-4./.

VNA