What were some of the Ministry of Science and Technology’s accomplishments last year?

In 2006, the ministry continued to push reforms to match new markets and economic conditions in the face of international integration.

The ministry focused on restructuring laws regarding science and technology-related activities. We headed a project to create legislation for Viet Nam as a member of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Some of our work included developing the legal basis for intellectual property rights, standardisation and technology sharing.

Right now, the ministry is busy compiling laws on product quality, nuclear energy and hi-tech products for the National Assembly to review sometime this year.

Our work creates a positive framework for scientists and innovators to work within. Under these regulations, they will be able to meet the demands of the country to further integrate with the international community, industrialise and become more modern simultaneously.

How does our WTO membership affect Viet Nam’s science and technology sector?

Viet Nam’s WTO membership status brings both challenges and opportunities for the country’s science and technology sector.

First of all, the sector will have the opportunity to work jointly with Vietnamese businesses.

Domestic enterprises now face much stiffer competition from foreign companies. To succeed, Vietnamese businesses must often reduce the prices of their products by increasing productivity, researching new production technologies and improving their management skills.

Our businesses, scientists and research centres can expect to work much closer to become competitive in the world market.

In addition, international integration will give Viet Nam’s science and technology sector a chance to access advancements, along with partnerships, that will result in furthering the nation’s industrialisation and modernisation strategy.

But opening our markets means Viet Nam will have to adapt to a new model of doing business.

Currently, Vietnamese businesses import equipment and technologies from different countries. One of the challenges to Viet Nam’s science and technology sector is producing our own cost-effective technological products that are also of good quality.

What measures will the ministry implement to overcome the challenges open markets pose?

The sector must first improve its production capacity and build on its resources.

One of the most important goals is to invest in fields that Vietnamese companies have a foothold in like tropical agriculture production and information technology.

Another focus should be forming and expanding international joint ventures. International partnerships are the most effective way to catch up with scientific and technological advancements in more developed countries.

The ministry’s strategy is to improve Viet Nam’s scientific and technological capacity and narrow the gap between the nation’s level of advancement and that of developed countries.

Intellectual property (IP) rights and standardisation are two of the most urgent matters to be dealt with as a WTO member country. What has the ministry done to address these issues?

In order to promote IP rights, we will continue to perfect our laws dealing with the subject.

The ministry has submitted an IP action plan for the next three years mapping out the way these laws should be implemented as part of our commitments to the WTO.

Furthermore, the ministry has made it possible for the country’s businesses to register their trademarks in the Madrid system, known worldwide, to protect our domestic brands.

As for standardisation, the process of standardising quality control and product types, we have made it our mission to adjust the necessary legal documents to reform the process.

The ministry carried out five key programmes from 2005 to 2007 regarding how oil, petrol and electronic products are now classified.

A group dedicated to answering questions related to potential technological barriers under the WTO was also set up.

Standardisation laws and strict guidelines on product quality are important tools businesses will use to succeed in the future.

Hi-tech products are more popular than ever in developed nations. How will Viet Nam follow suit?

Last year, Viet Nam marked an important investment milestone with US Intel Group putting US$1 billion into an industrial zone in HCM City.

HCM City’s economic strategy to focus its economies on scientific and technological products is working. More industrialisation will no doubt help bolster the service and trade sectors as well as have a positive impact on management, human resources and research in the north.

Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Zone, in partnership with Japan, is one of the three key projects in the region

Source: VNECONOMY