Hanoi (VNA) - The Techconnect and Innovation Vietnam 2024 kicked off in Hanoi on September 30, highlighting innovation promotion as an impetus for fast and sustainable socio-economic development.

The two-day national-level event, held by the Ministry of Science and Technology (MST) and the Hanoi People’s Committee, is expected to attract 2,500 - 3,000 direct participants, and 7,000 - 10,000 others taking part in online from ministries, sectors, localities, enterprises, research institutes, universities, and organisations of Vietnam and other countries.

It features a series of forums on technology management policy; construction, health, and agricultural technologies; high-tech investment promotion. A seminar on the importance of innovation to Hanoi enterprises, a display of technological achievements in 2024, and a conference on technology and innovation application and transfer also form part of the programme.

Domestic and foreign technological advances applied to a wide range of sectors are being showcased at 200 booths at the event, according to the organising board.

In his opening remarks, Minister of Science and Technology Huynh Thanh Dat stressed that science - technology and innovation have been playing a significant role in national socio-economic development. In such crucial sectors as agriculture, construction, health, education, and industry, they are not only the main driver for productivity improvement or sustainable growth, but also help create new business models and enhance the competitiveness of enterprises and the country in the international arena.

The MST hopes to continue receiving coordination from ministries, sectors, localities, enterprises, and scientists nationwide to promote the unanimity on the strategic vision about developing the innovation system, in which enterprises hold the central role, institutes and universities act as strong research bodies, and investment resources, especially from enterprises, for science - technology and innovation are fostered, he continued.

Dat also pointed out the need to reserve appropriate resources for implementing support solutions to encourage enterprises to improve their technology absorption capacity, step up technological innovation, and develop a comprehensive and efficient science - technology market integrating into the world.

Permanent Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Le Hong Son said the city is home to over 70% of the science - technology organisations, universities and research institutes, 82% of the laboratories, and over 65% of the leading scientists nationwide, which is viewed as a particularly important advantage for it to bolster science, technology, and innovation.

Hanoi will keep accompanying enterprises, organisations, and scientists and create the best possible conditions for the development of science, technology, and innovation, the official underlined.

For his part, Ambassador Julien Guerrier, head of the EU Delegation to Vietnam, voiced his belief in the huge potential for closer cooperation between the EU and Vietnam, particularly in such areas as green technology, digital innovation, and sustainable agriculture.

He added the EU and its members are committed to continuing to help Vietnamese people, enterprises, and researchers apply the latest technologies to boost economic growth while ensuring environmental sustainability and social equity.

On this occasion, the MST’s State Agency for Technology Innovation inked memoranda of understanding on cooperation in technology and innovation transfer with Spain’s Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology (CDTI) and the 🐟Republic of Korea Smart Manufacturing Office (KOSMO)./.