Hanoi (VNA) - Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on April 23 proposedbreakthrough orientations to make ASEAN a model in digital transformationglobally, while co-chairing a business roundtable with his Lao counterpart SonexaySiphandone in Hanoi.

Chinh stressed the importanceof equal access to digital transformation and digital economy on theprinciple of "harmonising benefits and sharing risks"; ensuringtransparency, safety, inclusiveness, and sustainability; strongly promotingASEAN's self-reliance and autonomy in digital transformation, based on specificfactors, potential and advantages of each country; and soon completing the ASEAN DigitalEconomy Framework Agreement.

He suggested promoting a global, all-people, and comprehensive approach in ASEAN's digital economic development; and focusingon solving common and global problems that affect the entire population such aspressure on labour restructuring, cybersecurity, cybercrime, and the downsideof artificial intelligence (AI).

The Vietnamese leader also urgedcountries, partners, and the ASEAN business community to strengthen cooperationin digital transformation to contribute to renewing traditional growth drivers,and promoting digitalisation associated with the application of science andtechnology in industries and fields to create new growth engines.

It is also necessary for the parties tointensify cooperation and support in financial resources, knowledge, technologytransfer, and human resources training so that ASEAN and Vietnam can participatemore deeply in frameworks, mechanisms, and supply chains in the region and theworld, added Chinh.

He told participants that Vietnamdetermines national digital transformation and digital economic development onthe basis of science, technology and innovation as a strategic developmentorientation by 2030, with a consistent viewpoint of putting people andbusinesses at the centre, and considering them as subjects, targets, drivingforces, and important resources of digital transformation.

As a result, the country has gained importantachievements in digital transformation, including an average digital economicgrowth rate of around 20% a year, the complete building of the NationalPopulation Database, and over 80% of its population using the Internet.

Vietnam hopes the ASEAN businesscommunity, investors, and partners to enhance cooperation, companionship, andsupport in promoting priority areas in digital economic development, he added.

Lao PM Sonexay Siphandone emphasised theneed for closer cooperation between businesses and private sectors with governmentsof countries and between countries to make the most of the benefits and overcoming the challenges brought about by digital technology.

At the roundtable, participants exchanged viewson opportunities and challenges in digital economic collaboration in ASEAN,proposed measures to boost cooperation between the bloc and its partners inthis field, and recommended the formation of an ASEAN digital economicecosystem.

They also discussed the application of AIin corporate governance, digital transformation in the information sector, cooperationin building high-quality digital human resources, and how to improve theinvestment environment to attract high-tech investment.

President, Asia Pacific atGoogle Scott Beaumont advised ASEAN to invest in infrastructure, human resources, and researchand development, and in building data centres. He also stressed the need forASEAN countries to ensure a strong enough legal environment, and ensure investorsachieve their set goals./.