President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan has suggested the southern metropolis Ho Chi Minh City raise its annual budget spending, from the current 2.06 percent to 4 percent, for sci-tech innovation.

During a working session with the municipal authorities on August 30, Nhan commented that the city is on the right track to sci-tech development, citing a number of effective models underway in the city.

VFF President Nguyen Thien Nhan (standing) at the working session. Photo: daidoanket.vn

In the coming time, the city should offer incentives designed for individual sectors, set up units majoring in applied sciences while utilizing inventions by the Institute for Computational Science and Technology, he said.

Director of the municipal Department of Science and Technology Nguyen Viet Dung spoke of the city’s advocacy for developing industrial and agricultural products having high added value and eco-friendly functions.

Aside from its budget, funding for sci-technology development also came from science-technology foundations run by businesses.

Among 93 local firms announcing the establishment of sci-tech innovation foundations, 41 have set aside VND 481 billion (US$21.8 million) for the work and spent roughly VND 168 billion (US$7.6 million) renovating technologies, he informed.

Deputy Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Tat Thanh Cang vowed to provide all possible support to turn sci-tech into a driver of the City’s local socio-economic development.

Source: VNA