The HCM City's Department of Science and Technology and New Zealand’s Creative HQ signed a MoA for co-operation to develop the city’s start-up and innovation environment. VNS Photo Thu Hằng

HCM CITY — The HCM City Department of Science and Technology and Creative HQ, New Zealand’s leading innovation coaching provider, on Friday signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) for co-operation to develop the city’s start-up and innovation environment.

Creative HQ will share models and best practices to support the development of the city’s start-up and innovation eco-system.

The two sides will work closely to develop a policy framework to encourage public-private partnerships in start-ups and innovation.

City officials and start-up and innovation stakeholders will receive capacity building training on new innovation methods, service design and their application in improving government services and processes.

HCM City has always been at the forefront of the start-up and innovation scene, Nguyễn Việt Dũng, director of the city Department of Science and Technology, said.

The city’s Centre for Start-up and Innovation, approved to be built under a public-private partnership, is in the design phase and construction is expected to start next year.

The city authorities hope to enhance the development of the city’s start-up and innovation eco-system with incentive policies and foster public-private partnerships in start-up and innovation, Dũng said.

New Zealand’s ambassador to Việt Nam, 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 New Zealand – Việt Nam 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 per cent of New Zealand businesses employ fewer than 19 people, she said.

The World Bank has named New Zealand the best country to start a business, she said.

“New Zealand will work closely with HCM 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 co-operation between Creative HQ and the city Department of Science and Technology has been facilitated by the New Zealand Government-Government Partnerships Office (New Zealand G2G).

New Zealand G2G is a joint venture between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, whose mandate is to provide a way for overseas governments to access proven New Zealand know-how on a commercial basis.

Creative HQ has been working as innovation practitioners since 2003 and so far helped more than 300 start-ups and 1,000 entrepreneurs. —VNS