HCM City (VNA) – Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh inaugurated the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) in Ho Chi Minh City at the Saigon Hi-Tech Park in Thu Duc city on September 25 as part of the HCM City Economic Forum 2024.

The HCM City C4IR, part of an agreement between Vietnam and the WEF, is one of the 19 C4IRs of the World Economic Forum (WEF) and the second one in Southeast Asia. It operates in the form of a public-private partnership, with founders including large-scale enterprises in Vietnam and HCM City.

Along with making proposals on solutions and policy recommendations in prioritised areas in line with national and international trends, the centre is expected to support the mobilisation of resources, assisting the Government and businesses in applying new technologies.

At a later working session with leaders of ministries, sectors, HCM City and the C4IR founding member enterprises on the operational orientations of the centre, PM Chinh affirmed that the centre is the outcome of the Party and State’s policy on the Fourth Industrial Revolution, meeting the country’s development requirements in the new period.

It reflects Vietnam’s deep and extensive integration and joining with the world in promoting the development of science, technology and innovation, while showing the pioneering role of HMC City in this field.

At the same time, it demonstrates the mettle, brainpower, pride and aspiration of Vietnam in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and affirms the close ties between the WEF, the Government leader stated.

The Government leader clarified the responsibility of the Government, ministries and sectors in providing policy guideline and building institutions for the centre's development, and asked HCM City to ensure infrastructure and mechanisms serving the smooth operations of the centre.

He suggested that C4IR founders continue to invest in the centre to create better financial conditions for operations, developing its infrastructure and attracting more talents.

PM Chinh requested the centre to promote the spirit of self-reliance, self-improvement and creativity based on its functions, tasks, and following the motto of "pioneering, cooperation, connection, digitalisation, greening, substantiality, effectiveness, spill-over effects, for the country, and for the people".

Representatives of ministries, sectors and enterprises held that in order for the centre to operate effectively, it is necessary to give it superior policies and mechanisms, along with investment in human resource training and facilities, especially modern digital infrastructure.

Viettel Vice Chairman Dao Xuan Vu proposed the establishment of a national steering committee on Fourth Industrial Revolution to work with relevant steering committees to build necessary policies and strategies, while investing in digital infrastructure.

President of Sovico Group Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao pledged to accompany the centre, the Saigon Hi-Tech Park and HCM City in making full use of achievements of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and support startups to rise.

ꦫ Kiva Allgood, head of the Centre for Advanced Manufacturing and Supply Chain and member of the Executive Committee at the World Economic Forum, committed to accompanying and supporting the centre in its development. WEF will give guidelines and provide professional support to the centre, connecting it with other centres in the system in the region and around the world, she said, stressing that Vietnam needs to implement unique solutions and make bold commitment to greener and more digital development because those are the two best ingredients to make the world a better place./.