Major investment in science, technology and innovation

​(News Portal – Dong Nai) - The Southeast region is not only the country's leading region in socio-economic development, industrialization and modernization, but also has many outstanding advantages in applied science and technology, innovation, business startups and developing the science and technology sector. The total science and technology budget allocated by the Central Government for 7 provinces and cities in the Southeast region is more than 4.7 trillion VND. The budget approved by the People's Committees of provinces and cities is more than 7.9 trillion VND, 67.1% more than the balanced central budget. 

Vital contributions to the socio-economic development
According to statistics from the Department of Local Science and Technology Development (Ministry of Science and Technology), in the period 2019-2023, despite badly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Southeast region still maintained steady economic growth ahead of other regions in the country.
Specifically, in 2020, the Southeast region contributed 32% of the country's GDP, accounting for 44.7% of total state budget revenue. Two years later, the percentage was 30% and 30.8%, respectively. Of which, Ho Chi Minh City reached 63.7 billion USD, Binh Duong province reached over 19.1 billion USD, Dong Nai province reached 18.6 billion USD, Ba Ria - Vung Tau province reached over 16.8 billion USD. The region's average GDP per capita reached 6.9 thousand USD/year, 2.8 thousand USD higher than the national average.

Leaders of Dong Nai province participated in a science, technology and innovation exhibition organized by the Department of Science and Technology 

Scientific research and technological development activities of localities shift according to the economic structure of the region and each locality. In particular, focusing on developing a number of high-tech industries such as: precision mechanics, food processing industry, electronics - information technology, production of automation equipment, medical equipment, energy, new materials, shipbuilding, fuels, and software development. Ho Chi Minh City alone has formed 135 dynamic research groups participating in international cooperation.
In Dong Nai province, according to Director of the Department of Science and Technology Lai The Thong, the research and application of high technology in the development and exploitation of supporting industries, aviation electronics, food processing, high-valued chemicals have been implemented. Prioritize is given to industries that reduce raw materials and fuel in production, use less labor, and are environmentally friendly...
In the field of construction, Dong Nai province utilized the project "Application of remote sensing and GIS images" to support management and planning in some key development areas. At the same time, coordinating with the Natural Resources and Environment sector in planning regional, provincial, district construction and managing detailed planning on 1/500 and 1/2000 scales of projects approved by the Provincial People's Committee.
In the field of agriculture, the entire province currently has more than 2 thousand hectares of key crops certified for safe production. The province has built 80 organic production models with a scale of more than 1.4 thousand hectares of crops and more than 23.7 thousand livestock; nearly 149 hectares of crop area applied greenhouse and net house technology; applying water-saving irrigation systems for crops on an area of more than 57.6 thousand hectares.
The self-production and application of Probiotic bacteria (IMO) and wine yeast movements (MEVI) to create organic fertilizers, plant protection drugs, and process household waste at source into organic fertilizer for crop production are participated by many local farmers. Livestock farming developing in the direction of farms accounts for about 90%. Of these, 21% of livestock farms use enclosed barns; 11.5% of these farms apply automation technology; about 45% of the total pig herd and 31% of the total chicken herd are traceable. The output of pigs and chickens supplied to the market with VietGAHP certification is increasing.

There are still challenges and obstacles
For science-technology and innovation to truly be the driving force for local socio-economic development, Mr. Nguyen Loc Ha, Vice Chairman of Binh Duong Provincial People's Committee, said that the province would continue to pay attention and issue more support policies, dedicating many resources to develop science, technology and innovation; improve science and technology capacity for institutes and educational facilities, develop previously formed innovation ecosystems.

According to Director of the Department of Science and Technology of Dong Nai province Lai The Thong, despite having great potential, up to now, the province has only 6 science and technology enterprises. There are many reasons leading to this issue, including the regulation that the assignment of science and technology tasks must be carried out according to the Law on Bidding with forms of contractor selection such as: open bidding, limited bidding, direct appointment of contractors, competitive bidding, direct procurement, self-implementation. These regulations have been causing issues for groups, corporations and affiliated science and technology organizations. Because the implementation process is lengthy and the amount of paperworks is large, it leads to delays in implementing science and technology tasks, affecting the translation of research and development results of new products and services into practice.
Therefore, Dong Nai province recommends that relevant departments and sectors under the Ministry of Science and Technology promptly issue specific guiding documents in implementing policies to develop science and technology enterprises and support innovation. 

Leaders of the Department of Science and Technology of the Southeast provinces participated in the 2023 Science and Technology briefing conference in the Southeast region 

Mr. Le Xuan Dinh, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology, requested units under the Ministry to acknowledge the recommendations of localities to proactively research, exchange, and guide localities to remove any obstacle. From there, advising and proposing to the Ministry's leaders to consider and decide on issues within the Ministry's authority.
In order for science, technology and innovation to truly be the driving force of development, the Minister of Science and Technology suggested that in the coming time, provinces and cities in the Southeast region needed to pay more attention and invest more in this field. Taking science-technology and innovation, digital economy, green economy, and circular economy as the focus, supporting rapid and sustainable development, creating a breakthrough in the local economy in a modern direction.

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Customers learn about OCOOP products from localities in the province 

In addition, localities should strive to take the lead in the fields of digital transformation, advanced technology, clean technology, building and developing key products, products with local and regional strengths in product/value chain. Increasing investment, effectively using investment resources for science, technology and innovation, developing science and technology human resources, attracting talented domestic, as well as foreign scientists and researchers to support and aid the local socio-economic development.
Localities need to proactively have solutions to overcome challenges and obstacles, and mobilize maximum social resources for science, technology and innovation, especially businesses, as well as organizations associated with businesses. Strengthening connections between institutes, schools and businesses, so that businesses can truly become the center of the national innovation system.​​