Substantive, Practical Support for Innovation, Science and Technology Application

The science and technology (S&T) sector of Binh Phuoc province has been strongly transformed with many important achievements to reaffirm its position and role in the province's socioeconomic development. This is also a premise for the sector to boost its business support for technological innovations and competitiveness improvement. Mr. Dang Ha Giang, Director of the Department of Science and Technology, has an interview with Vietnam Business Forum’s reporter on this topic.

What do you think about contributions of the S&T sector to the province's socioeconomic development over the past time?

In general, S&T activities of Binh Phuoc province in recent years (particularly in the 2016 - 2020 period) have been comprehensively developed in all aspects.

Most S&T tasks are derived from practical needs of departments, branches and localities. Research results are closely practicable and applicable, helping improve product value, and boost local socioeconomic development towards industrialization and modernization.

Science, technology and innovation in the 2016-2020 period provided a scientific basis for developing key crops and animals in the province, scaling up hi-tech application models, improving productivity, quality and value of key local agricultural products (cashew, pepper and rubber), improving competitiveness, increasing brand name and value, and boosting domestic consumption and export.

Upholding its achievements and preparing the groundwork for the S&T sector to make breakthroughs to meet socioeconomic development and international integration requirements, the Department of Science and Technology advised the Provincial Party Committee to deploy the S&T development program in 2021 - 2025, one of 11 action programs to implement the Resolution of the 11th Congress of the Provincial Party Committee. This is an important content that shapes S&T development in Binh Phuoc province in the next five years.

To help local enterprises sharpen their competitiveness and foster sustainable development, what S&T support programs and policies has Binh Phuoc province adopted?

The Provincial Party Committee, the Provincial People’s Council and the Provincial People’s Committee are particularly keen on development and implementation of S&T support programs and policies for manufacturing, business and governance of enterprises.

Specifically, by supporting technological and equipment upgrade and scientific and technical progress application to production, the Department of Science and Technology is carrying out procedures, advising the Provincial People's Committee to submit some policies on investment support for equipment and technological innovations for organizations and individuals in Binh Phuoc province to the Provincial People's Council for approval after the Decision 50/2009/QD-UBND dated October 27, 2009 on support for transfer of S&T application and innovation models funded by the State budget in Binh Phuoc province was no longer effective.

Besides, the S&T Development Fund is being merged as requested by the Provincial Party Committee. After the merger, the Fund will continue to support businesses to access preferential support loans for technological innovations under Decision 11/QD-HDQLQ dated October 5, 2011 of the Fund Management Board.

For intellectual property (IP) support, in 2020, the department advised the Provincial People's Committee to issue Plan 295/KH-UBND on carrying out the Binh Phuoc IP Strategy to 2030 which defines key tasks and solutions for development of intellectual property and brands for locally distinctive and advantageous products. And, we are carrying out proposed procedures to the Provincial People's Committee to consider and submit to the Provincial People's Council to issue a separate resolution on IP and branding development for local products and services.

The Department of Science and Technology also advised the Provincial People's Committee to issue Plan 152/KH-UBND dated June 11, 2019 on implementation of the Project on implementation, application and management of Binh Phuoc Traceability System in 2019 - 2020. The agency supported 20 enterprises and cooperatives to apply electronic stamp solutions to trace origin. At the same time, at provincial and national conferences and fairs, it regularly supported them to promote their product brands, and demonstrate traceability technology to consumers to distinguish products of clear origin and guaranteed quality.

With respect to support for improving productivity and product quality, implementing the Prime Minister's Decision 1322/QD-TTg dated August 31, 2020 approving the National Program to assist enterprises to increase productivity and product quality in 2021 - 2030 and related decisions and plans, the Department of Science and Technology consulted the Provincial People's Committee to issue the action plan for implementation of the National Program.

How do you assess the improvement of the Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI) of Binh Phuoc province over the past time? How has the S&T sector supported this task?

In addition to efforts for better infrastructure, Binh Phuoc province has stepped up administrative reform, e-government construction and business support for a better business climate. In 2020, the province increased 11 places in the Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI) rankings, from No. 61 in 2019 to No. 50 out of 63 provinces and cities. The result clearly showed this effort.

Joining the resolute political system to improve the investment and business environment, the Department of Science and Technology has adopted many solutions to boost business companionship and support. The department developed a project to form a startup and innovation center in Binh Phuoc province. When this project is approved and enforced, it will create a drive for startups and innovations in the province to further develop.

In addition, when the Resolution on IP and brand development for products and services and the Resolution on investment support for equipment and technological innovation of organizations and individuals in Binh Phuoc province (as mentioned above) are approved by the Provincial People's Council this year, they will create clear mechanisms and policies to support businesses to upgrade equipment and technology, protect and develop brands.

Believing that, the essential support for areas of high concern among businesses and the society will be recognized and appreciated by businesses. That is also the crosscutting motto and goals of the S&T sector of Binh Phuoc in the following years to further contribute to the goal of enhancing the local investment and business environment.

Source: Vietnam Business Forum