Experts pointed out that the application of advanced technology in the production of building materials remains limited in the country. — VNA/VNS Photo Vu Sinh

HA NOI (Biz Hub) — Viet Nam should apply advanced technologies in producing building materials to enhance their quality and designs, amid the inflow of imported products, urged experts at a Ha Noi workshop yesterday.

The workshop, jointly held by the Association of Building Materials and the Ministry of Construction's Department of Science, Technology and Environment, aimed to implement efficiently the science and technology development strategy of the construction industry towards 2020 and vision for 2030.

The workshop also sought opportunities to improve the levels of science and technology, develop new kinds of building materials and boost competitiveness of the Vietnamese building material producers for the sustainable development of the industry and protection of the environment, as well as the reduction of energy consumption.

Experts pointed out that the application of advanced technology in the production of building materials remains limited in the country.

Tran Dinh Thai, Deputy Director of the Department of Science, Technology and Environment, attributed this to the loose coordination between building material production firms and research institutes, and among relevant industries.

Thai said that the sources of funds for research and development and technology innovations in building material production are limited and meet only a part of the demand. It is also difficult to raise capital for research and development as only large State-owned firms are willing to invest in them.

In general, experts said that the level of science and technology in building material production in Viet Nam has failed to keep pace with the other countries in the region. Many products cannot compete with imported products in terms of design, quality and prices.

"If Vietnamese building material production firms do not innovate designs, enhance quality and have competitive prices, they will certainly fail even in the domestic market," said Tran Van Huynh, president of the Association of Building Materials.

Experts urged for a special mechanism to help research to develop new technologies for the building material industry. Viet Nam also must be open to advanced and modern technologies in the world, and boost international co-operation in this sector to enhance quality and reduce prices.

Applying science and technology, which are regarded as stimulators for sustainable development of the Vietnamese building material industry, is critical for transforming the industry into a modern one of a level equal to the corresponding industries in the other countries of the region and the world by 2020.

In addition, a sound and consistent strategy for the development of the building material industry is essential, and must be based on the market supply and demand and the country's mineral resources.

The strategy must prevent the overspreading of investments in this sector, which will cause supply to exceed demand and have negative impact on the environment.

Viet Nam should also pay attention to developing the mechanical industry to supply equipment for the production of building materials and avoid dependence on imported machines, experts said.

Statistics of the building material association showed that the export turnover of the sector reached US$1.35 billion in 2013. — VNS