Hanoi to launch Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

The establishment of the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship is in line with the municipal party's program on promoting the development of science, technology, and innovation in 2021-2025.

Overview of the meeting. Photo: The Hanoi Times

Deputy Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Nguyen Van Phong stressed the need for such a center at a meeting on February 8.

A report from the Steering Committee on the Program (No.7) said the entire political system has been actively involved in this process.

The Program Steering Committee No.7 established 12 key priority tasks for this year, including supporting enterprises in innovation and technology application, promoting digital transformation, adopting advanced management systems and tools to improve productivity and quality, and developing the science and technology market.

The committee will also work to improve the start-up and innovation ecosystem in Hanoi, in association with those of the region and across the world while expediting the establishment of the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Hanoi.

In particular, the application of scientific research and new technological advancements in production has contributed to increasing productivity, especially in the agricultural sector, stated the report.

The use of high technology in agriculture has resulted in better quality and higher yield of crops, reflected in the steadily growing proportion of high-tech agricultural products in the city, it added.

Meanwhile, many businesses, farms, cooperatives, and households are adopting high-tech solutions in their production, processing, and preservation of agricultural products for greater productivity and higher added value and quality.

It is estimated that by the end of 2022, high-tech agricultural products will account for around 40% of the total value of the city's agricultural production to meet local demand and for export.

Program No.7 has set a target for the labor productivity growth rate to reach 7-7.5% in the 2021-2025 period, and for the proportion of hi-tech farming in total agricultural production to be over 7%.

The program also aims for the digital economy to account for 30% of the Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) and for companies with innovative activities to exceed 50% by the end of the period.

Standing Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Le Hong Son has stressed the importance of using science and technology to address pressing issues in Hanoi. He pointed out that the city needs to review its policies and mechanisms to address legal bottlenecks.

"Hanoi should focus on applying technologies to solve public frustration and create a mechanism to make better use of the contribution of experts and scientists," Son said.

With the finalization of the Capital Law among the three key tasks for Hanoi this year, Son called for the need for scientific solutions to build an urban administration model and the city-within-the-city model.

Completing startup and innovation ecosystem

At the meeting on February 8, Nguyen Van Phong highlighted the positive results achieved by implementing Program No.7.

He acknowledged the efforts made by various departments, branches, and units in promoting digital transformation and information technology, as well as in developing e-commerce and non-cash payment.

In this regard, scientific research activities are progressively being aligned with local needs and promoting innovation in universities, Phong said.

Phong called for greater utilization of technologies in drafting Hanoi’s planning for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision for 2050, as well as a plan for the establishment of hi-tech parks in the city.

In addition, Phong emphasized the need to speed up the formation and operation of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center of Hanoi, and to organize events such as the Capital Innovation Start-up Day - Techfest Hanoi 2023, connecting local and global supply and demand. He also urged the review and evaluation of units and localities in the application of science and technology to ensure that it is effective, practical and tailored to local needs.