HCM City seeks stronger hi-tech cooperation with US, Japan, RoK

HCM City welcomes representatives from the three countries' Consulates General in Ho Chi Minh City to discuss joint opportunities in science, technology, and innovation-driven growth. (Photo: Nhan dan)

Ho Chi Minh City is seeking to deepen cooperation with the US, Japan, and the Republic of Korea (RoK) to develop cutting-edge industries, establish research centres for microchips and semiconductors, and train high-quality human resources.

At a working session on April 14, the HCM City Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (HCMC C4IR), in partnership with relevant agencies, welcomed representatives from the three countries' Consulates General in Ho Chi Minh City to discuss joint opportunities in science, technology, and innovation-driven growth.

At the meeting, Director of HCMC C4IR Le Truong Duy shared the city’s vision to establish a world-class public-private technology exchange platform. This hub will serve as a gateway for cutting-edge technologies from the US, Japan, and the Republic of Korea to enter Vietnam, enabling collaborative innovation and creating valuable tech products for the global market.

Duy also called for a coordinated mechanism to build sustainable, tech-driven supply chains that optimise manufacturing processes, reduce operational costs, and sharpen the competitiveness of involved enterprises.

The city is particularly seeking foreign investment in breakthrough sectors such as big data, artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, biotechnology, new materials, and R&D. In parallel, it aims to build a future-ready workforce, with an immediate goal of training 1,000 specialised engineers by 2026, and helping at least half of local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) adopt AI solutions.

In addition to technology transfer, the city is keen to enhance cooperation in start-ups and innovation through joint efforts in training, incubation, funding, and science-tech student exchanges.

Diplomatic representatives from the US, Japan, and RoK praised the city’s high-tech development momentum and affirmed their support for strengthening bilateral and trilateral cooperation in this field. They pointed to the city’s rising prominence in AI and innovation, while also encouraging further improvements to the local investment climate.

Suggestions included streamlining administrative procedures, cutting red tape, and building more responsive and transparent government-business communication channels. They also emphasised the need to upgrade infrastructure, ensure stable energy supplies, and improve telecom connectivity.

Duy welcomed the candid feedback, affirming that such dialogue is essential for HCM City to address investor concerns and move toward more effective, mutually beneficial cooperation. He stressed that success will depend on shared commitment from all parties to unlock the full potential of high-tech partnerships across all four countries./.