National digital transformation relies on innovation: PM

The overall development of digital transformation basing innovation platform must be a top priority for the Ministry of Information and Communication (MIC), Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has said.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. Photos: Nhat Bac

Speaking at a meeting with the ministry’s leaders on May 11 to discuss development strategy for the IT and communications sector, the government leader said more policies should be devised to mobilize social resources for the development of strategic infrastructure and spearhead economic fields

"The ministry should not rely on the government in the policy-making process," Chinh said.

He said the government will continue to push for greater delegation of authority and clarify clear individual responsibilities, which allow room for the ministry to continue its good works. 

“The door is open for the private sector to participate in any economic fields, except for those related to security, defense, socio-political stability, and foreign affairs,” stressed Chinh.

As the MIC remains a pioneering force for economic reform, the PM identifies quality human resources as a key factor, saying “ambitious objectives require competent staffs to realize”, while calling for the ministry to continue streamlining its organization.

Chinh urged the MIC to give more attention to brand building and protecting intellectual property rights, especially for those in the IT and communications fields.

Target for 5G coverage nationwide in 2022

Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung.

At the meeting, Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung said the ministry’s priority is to boost Vietnam’s IT infrastructure and platforms and take the IT and communication sector into the world’s top 30-50 by 2025.

According to Hung, the sector earned in 2020 revenue of US$130 billion and paid US$5 billion in taxes.

“As Vietnam is targeting to self-produce digital infrastructure and equipment, especially of 5G network, the MIC aims to ensure 5G nationwide coverage by 2022,” stated Hung.

At the same time, Hung stressed the necessity for Vietnam to become a superpower in terms of cybersecurity to protect its prosperity and interest in the cyber environment.

In the field of Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Hung suggested the sector should speedily shift from assembling to creating, designing, and making Vietnamese products under the “Make in Vietnam” initiative.

“We should raise the proportion of products under the Make-in-Vietnam campaign by 2025 to 45% from the current 22%, along with having 100,000 digital firms by 2025,” Hung said.