HCMC, New Zealand firm ink pact on startup, innovation ambience

A Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) to this effect was signed by the municipal Department of Science and Technology (DoST) and Creative HQ, one of New Zealand’s leading innovation facilitators.

The signing ceremony, held on August 23, was witnessed by New Zealand Ambassador to Vietnam, Wendy Matthews and Nguyen Viet Dung, Director of DoST.

Under the MoA, Creative HQ will share models and best practices to support the development of Ho Chi Minh City’s start-up and innovation ecosystem.

The two sides will also work closely to develop the city’s policy framework towards encouraging public-private partnerships in start-up and innovation.

Ho Chi Minh City officials and other stakeholders will receive capacity building training on new innovation methods, service design and their application in improving government services and processes.

Ambassador Wendy Matthews said: “New Zealanders have a long tradition of mixing creative innovation with practical solutions. I am pleased that innovation and high tech products and services are also now playing a constructive role in the deepening the New Zealand – Vietnam bilateral relationship.”

“An entrepreneurial spirit has been part of New Zealand’s national identity for decades. New Zealand's economy is made up of small-scale entrepreneurs and 97% of New Zealand businesses employ fewer than 19 people. Out of 190 countries, the World Bank has named New Zealand as the best country to start a business,” she noted.

New Zealand will work closely with Ho Chi Minh City to nurture its start-up community and to create a sustainable business model for entrepreneurship and high tech companies that includes bringing together the best elements from government, corporates, academics and start-ups,” the ambassador said.

In April this year, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, Nguyen Thanh Phong, had led a high level delegation on a working visit to New Zealand during which they heard from municipal officials who’d participated in training courses offered by Creative HQ in Wellington on developing and fostering innovative start-ups.

Creative HQ is New Zealand’s leading innovation coaching provider. The company has been an innovation practitioner since 2003 and has helped over 300 startups and over 1000 entrepreneurs.