Ambitious target

The development of sci-tech enterprises will accelerate the application of sci-tech to create new, highly competitive products and contribute to Vietnam’s sci-tech development, creating jobs and attracting talented and skilled workers.

A report by the Ministry of Science and Technology showed that there are about 2,100 enterprises nationwide meeting conditions to become a sci-tech enterprise, only 250 enterprises of which have been awarded the sci-tech enterprise certification, mostly in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong and Thanh Hoa, Binh Duong and Quang Ninh provinces. This number accounts for a small part of the 600,000 plus businesses operating throughout the country.

Tran Dac Hien, director of the Ministry of Science and Technology’s Personnel and Organization Department, said the 2011-2020 science and technology development strategy targets the development of 5,000 sci-tech enterprises by 2020. However, Vietnam will be hard pressed to reach this target. Given existing programs and policies, about 3,000 sci-tech enterprises are expected to be founded from now to 2020, he said.

Easing policies

Nguyen Thi Tam, chairwoman of the board at the Vietnam Seed and High-tech Agriculture Joint Stock Company, said although the state has many policies to develop science and technology in general and sci-tech enterprises in particular, enterprises are still facing difficulties in credit, land and preferential tax approach. Tam said ministries and sectors should simplify project verification, assessment and acceptance formalities, while the state should adopt policies to facilitate sci-tech products through exhibitions and fairs and build communication channels linking enterprises with investors and technology brokers.

According to the Ministry of Science and Technology’s Market Development and Sci-tech Enterprise Department, most sci-tech enterprises have inadequate infrastructure due to capital shortages and face difficulties in their product commercialization. Many domestic sci-tech products have been highly rated by relevant authorities but remain less competitive than imported products due to consumer choice and ineffective advertising. They are also hampered by the fact that they are not prioritized in bidding related to state projects despite being of good quality and having a more competitive price than imported products of the same kind.

Source: VEN