Officials launch the trial version of the HCMCInvest digital investment promotion platform in HCM City on Thursday. The AI-powered platform is designed to help investors search projects and access investment information online. — VNA/VNS Photo

HCM CITY — HCM City on Thursday launched a trial version of an artificial intelligence-powered investment promotion platform that allows businesses to search projects, connect with government agencies and access investment information online, as Việt Nam's largest economic hub steps up efforts to attract investment through digital services.

The platform, known as HCMCInvest, is the city's first integrated digital portal for investment promotion, bringing together information on investment projects, priority sectors, planning and business opportunities that was previously spread across multiple agencies and websites.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, Nguyễn Văn Được, chairman of the municipal People's Committee, said the platform was inspired by digital investment promotion models the city studied at an international economic forum last year.

He said rather than relying mainly on overseas investment roadshows, the city wanted a platform that could continuously introduce investment opportunities to businesses worldwide while allowing investors to engage directly with local authorities online.

During the pilot phase, investors can search investment projects, submit expressions of interest, request meetings with relevant agencies and receive responses through the platform.

Authorities will be able to track investor enquiries and coordinate follow-up support through a single system.

Developed by the HCM City Investment and Trade Promotion Centre (ITPC), HCMCInvest uses artificial intelligence and digital data to provide information on the city's investment environment, development priorities, industrial sectors and cooperation opportunities.

Officials said future versions would add AI-powered investor matching, market analysis and other data-driven services.

Trần Duy Ninh, director of the National Digital Transformation Authority under the Ministry of Science and Technology, said the platform should continue to improve the quality and integration of its data with national and sectoral databases while expanding the use of AI and big data to analyse investment trends.

During the launch, ITPC signed an agreement with Arobid Technology JSC to develop and operate the platform. Arobid also partnered with S&P Global Market Intelligence to integrate global market data and analytical tools into HCMCInvest, providing investors with broader market intelligence.

The city said it would refine the platform based on feedback from businesses and investors before rolling it out more widely as part of its digital transformation strategy. — VNS