Minister of Information and Communication Truong Minh Tuan visited France from November 26-29, aiming to strengthen cooperation between Vietnam and France in information technology and communications.

At a meeting with Bertrand Pailhes, French Minister of State for Economy, Industry and Digital Technology on November 28, Tuan noted that since the two countries set up their strategic partnership in 2013, bilateral cooperation has thrived in all fields, including information and communication technology (ICT).

France is the largest European provider of official development assistance (ODA) to Vietnam for developing telecommunications infrastructure, contributing to the growth of the ICT sector and economic development.

He expressed hope that French businesses, with their advantages in capital, information and experience in international business, will continue investing in Vietnam.

At a meeting with Bertrand Pailhes, French Minister of State for Economy, Industry and Digital Technology on November 28. Photo: Vietnam+

The two sides showed delight that State management agencies of both sides have strengthened exchanges of information on new service development, information safety and security as well as the management of radio and television, and telecommunication business restructuring and ensured a healthy competitive environment.

France has assisted Vietnam in organizing conferences to share experience and seek investment opportunities in the field, they noted.

The French side has also transferred technology and supported human resource development in Vietnam, while the French Government has granted a number of scholarships to Vietnamese students in satellite studies.

On November 29, Minister Tuan attended a meeting of Vietnamese and French ICT firms, which featured more than 20 French enterprises.

Frederic Rossi, Deputy General Director for export of the Business France lauded Vietnam’s dynamism in ICT. He noted that the sector has enjoyed annual growth of 20 percent since 2000, accounting for 7.5 percent of the country’s GDP in 2015.

He highlighted the high potential of the Vietnamese ICT market, expressing delight that French Tech, which groups about 120 French and Vietnamese ICT firms, was established in Vietnam in October this year.

Vietnamese businesses, including Viettel and FPT, have also entered the French market, he noted.

Minister Tuan said that Vietnam’s ICT sector is growing strongly with deep international integration, creating opportunities for foreign investors in the field. He said he believes that through the meeting, ICT firms of both sides will set up partnerships.

The same day, the minister held talks with French Minister of State for State Reform and Simplification Jean-Vincent Place, during which he said that the Vietnamese Government considers ICT a spearhead sector and important for the country’s growth.

Vietnam has implemented several programs and plans for the sector’s development, focusing on spreading ICT to develop e-government and e-business, as well as the building of smart cities and smart transportation, he said.

Jean-Vincent Place pledged to support French firms who wish to invest in Vietnam’s ICT and digital technology.

Following the talks, Tuan and Jean-Vincent Place signed a letter of intent on Vietnam-France cooperation in e-administration, which serves as a legal foundation for French ICT firms to enter the Vietnamese market.

During their stay, the Ministry of Information and Communications delegation also met with leaders of France Medias Monde, the owner of many radio and television channels, including the France 24 TV channel.

France 24 channel’s director Marc Saikali thanked the ministry for licensing the English version of France 24 to be aired in Vietnam, expressing hope that the French version will be allowed in the country soon.

On the occasion, the delegation also visited a center for research and development of technological appliance of Nokia-Alcatel Lucent in Nozay town in Ile-de-France.

Source: VNA