HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc said the Fourth Industrial Revolution presents an opportunity for the country to realise its dream of prosperity as he addressed an international conference themed Smart Industry World 2017 in Hà Nội on Tuesday.

The PM emphasised that the Government is focusing on building and developing the digital economy and smart industry. He said the country aims to train one million digital technicians by 2020, stressing that the goal could be reached if all education levels included high-tech training and if society nurtured innovation and start-up culture.

Given the country’s goals, the PM said Smart Industry World 2017 is an important event for participants to share experience in applying cutting-edge technologies, developing smart industry and recognising opportunities and challenges from the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

The event, which combines an international exhibition and four workshops, drew nearly 50 domestic and foreign enterprises operating in automation, robotics, smart industry, agriculture, health care, education, fintech and software.

More than 1,500 delegates from State-run management agencies, domestic and foreign business associations and embassies were also present at the event.

PM Phúc said ministries, sectors and localities have pursued IT development as they undertake administrative reform and carry out State duties. The majority of public services—88 per cent—have now moved online. Infrastructure and human resources for IT applications are already being built. Currently, 4G mobile networks have more than 4,000 base stations covering over 95 per cent of the population.

The number of new start-ups in 2017 has nearly doubled over last year, from about 1,800 in 2016 to more than 3,000 in 2017. In addition to the 40 international venture capital funds that have been established and operating in Việt Nam, corporations and major banks are also involved in mobilising and using large financial resources to support innovation in 2017.

The exhibition featured 50 pavilions run by leading manufacturers and industrial and technological firms from Việt Nam, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, the US, the Republic of Korea and Japan.

The symposiums in the framework of the event will explore new technological measures and propose specific policies for the Government to develop smart industry in manufacturing, trade, services and smart urban areas. — VNS