Hanoi boosts science and technology

High-tech flower farming brings higher incomes for farmers in Hanoi

Many scientific projects are underway

The Hanoi Department of Science and Technology has associated with related agencies and domestic and foreign experts in boosting the implementation of a series of scientific infrastructure projects, which is considered as key to the city’s scientific and technological development plan in the context of increasing international integration.

The Research Center for Technology Transfer and Assessment project in the Hoa Lac High Tech Park which was approved by the Hanoi People’s Committee and was kicked off in 2012 has basically been completed and has been piloting LED lamp manufacturing. The center is expected to be completed and enter operation this year.

As of the end of 2013, Hanoi started construction at the Technology Trading Center project in Xuan La Ward, Tay Ho District. The project includes a technology and equipment trading platform, a technological incubator, a technology education and international cooperation zone, and an information technology and technology database zone. The center is expected for completion and operation by 2016.

This year, the city has started construction of a bio-technology and food technology center in Mai Lam Commune, Dong Anh District, with a view to mastering modern bio and food technologies.

In addition, the Hanoi Foundation for Science and Technology Development was established to support science and technology organizations and scientists in implementing science and technology projects for local socioeconomic development. The city also expects to complete and put into use a high-tech bio-technology park, a software technology park, a university city and 10-15 technological incubators by 2020.

Opening a new era of scientific development

According to the city’s science and technology development strategy until 2020, the local science and technology sector will contribute significantly to its economic growth and restructuring process, with high-tech product value accounting for about 50 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP). Annual technological and equipment improvement rate will hit above 20 percent. Scientific and technological transactions will grow from 16-18 percent on an annual average, and the application rate of advanced technologies to production and trading will reach 45 percent.

A number of high-tech production industries will be developed into spearheads including engineering, bio-technology, new energies, software, computer parts, support industries, automation, new materials and high-quality steel. By 2020, the city aims to have 350 science and technology institutions with all state-run science and technology institutions running autonomously.

To implement these objectives, Hanoi has increased funding for scientific and technological activities to about VND1.43 trillion for the 2011-2015 period and managed to simplify related administrative procedures. It has also offered incentives for local scientists to encourage them to participate in local and international scientific and technological researches and development.

To further promote the role of science and technology institutions and scientists in the city’s socioeconomic development, the Hanoi Department of Science and Technology has petitioned the government, the Ministry of Science and Technology and related agencies to extend support for Hanoi via inviting domestic and foreign scientists and experts to coordinate the implementation of scientific and technological development, prioritize the placing orders for local scientific and technological products and recognize related intellectual property.

Quynh Nga