HANOI: Vietnam is keen to emulate and learn from Malaysia to upgrade its information communications technology (ICT) infrastructure by 2020, particularly in the areas of e-government, broadband infrastructure, human capital building and telecommunications.
Vietnam Minister of Information and Communications, Dr Le Doan Hop, expressed his hopes for more ICT partnerships, integration and development between the two nations.
“Malaysia’s expertise and experience in ICT development would be useful to tackle several issues in Vietnam namely human capital development in ICT, development of broadband infrastructure for rural areas, hardware and software ICT industry development and ICT application for socio-economic development,” he said in a statement from Vietnam.
Dr Le met up with Malaysia’s Science, Technology and Innovation Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili, during a meeting in Vietnam on Monday.
Ongkili is currently leading an ICT and biotechnology trade mission to Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.
The trade mission aims to showcase what Malaysia has to offer as well as share Malaysia’s experience in developing the Digital Malaysia Masterplan.
The Masterplan aimed at accelerating growth across all sectors by creating a conducive climate for innovation, investment and talent.
Dr Le remarked that there should be more exchange of government and business visits between the two countries.
“We have plenty in common and familiarity will promote consensus and mutual benefits,” he said.
At a business forum held afterwards, a total of 10 memoranda of understanding were reached between Malaysia and Vietnam at a business forum held in Vietnam.
Among others, deals were signed between Mimos Bhd and Vietnamese Institute of Information Technology, PIKOM and its counterpart Vietnam Information and Software Association and Tess Innovation Malaysia with financial institution Hanelcom Vietnam.
The Malaysian biotechnology sector was represented by Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation and Technology Park Malaysia, as well as biotech companies.