The survey report pointed out that numerous large businesses have invested in technology upgrades and renovation, while small businesses focused on developing new products.— File Photo

HA NOI (Biz Hub)— Vietnamese businesses could benefit from governmental policies to promote exports and expand the scale and scope of the domestic market, noted speakers at a conference on competition and technology.

The conference, held in Ha Noi yesterday, referenced a survey from 2012, which pointed out that a small number of enterprises enjoyed technology transfers funded by foreign direct investments (FDIs) and had demonstrated higher productivity.

For the survey, technology was specifically analysed in gauging the competitiveness of more than 8,000 Vietnamese businesses.

The research was conducted by the Central Institute for Economic Management (CIEM) in collaboration with the General Statistics Office (GSO) and the Department of Economics (DoE) at the University of Copenhagen.

The survey report pointed out that numerous large businesses have invested in technology upgrades and renovation, while small businesses focused on developing new products.

Survey results from these businesses showed that most of them have implemented mandatory measures that fall under the banner of social responsibility, including protecting labourers' rights, providing social insurance, and ensuring the protection of the environment.

The report noted that enterprises faced challenges while investing in new technologies because of limited capital and restricted access to government support.

Authorities suggest policy makers continue to support FDI activities and encourage technology transfers among domestic businesses.

It also urged domestic firms to acquire existing technologies instead of developing new expensive technologies through research and development activities.

Technologies transferred in Viet Nam were considered to be as good as or better than those that already existed.

However, these technologies were considered average when compared with other countries in the region.

Statistics revealed that 80 per cent of FDI-funded firms in Viet Nam used average technologies, while 5-6 per cent used advanced technologies and 14 per cent used outdated technologies.

The report stated that FDIs and suitable policies to upgrade technologies will be necessary for Viet Nam, which has a young population and a large number of labourers working in the agriculture sector, to support sustainable and stable economic development.

A long-term solution that creates favourable conditions for businesses to adjust and improve their technologies was also suggested as being necessary to further boost economic growth. — VNS