HÀ NỘI — The application of science and technology will be one of the strategic solutions for restructuring the industry and trade sector as well as for its sustainable development.

Science and technology play an important role in enhancing competitiveness, Trần Tuấn Anh, minister of industry and trade, said at a signing ceremony between the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) and the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) in Hà Nội on Thursday.

As per the agreement, in the 2017-20 period, the two ministries will enhance co-operation in reviewing, supplementing and completing the legal processes linked to science,  technology, industry and trade to effectively implement the MoIT’s development policies.

The  ministries will create a special mechanism to promote science and technology in the mechanics, manufacturing, parts supply industries and other prioritised sectors.

They will also build and implement national-level science and technology programmes during this period.

The agreement shows the strong commitment of both ministries in promoting science and technology in the industry and trade sector. “The sector has been active in connecting science and technology activities to industrialisation and modernisation,” Anh said.

Science and technology have become key factors in improving productivity, product quality and competitiveness. They allow enterprises to expand scale, increase manufacturing and processing, create hi-tech goods, and improve export growth rate, the minister added.

In the 2016-20 period, the industry and trade sector has targeted an average industrial production growth rate of 13 per cent a year. The industry and construction sectors account for 42 to 43 per cent of the country’s total GDP. The annual average export growth is expected to be 11 per cent. — VNS