Science and technology can only be vital and be spread when it is applied in practice, especially in enterprise activities, Nguyen Quan, minister of science and technology said. — Photo VNA

HA NOI (Biz Hub) — The Ministry of Science and Technology held a ceremony to announce a series of events titled "20 years of the Viet Nam National Quality Award 1996 -2016" in Ha Noi yesterday.

This is an annual award aiming to review, assess and bestow awards to businesses achieving excellent performances and outstanding achievements in innovating, improving quality and contributing to the country's productivity and quality movement.

Through 20 years of development, the award has attracted attention and created a reputation among enterprises, management agencies as well as consumers. It has also honoured businesses with outstanding achievements in improving product quality and service, competitive capacity and performance.

The series of events will last from January to April this year, including an announcement ceremony, conferences, a press gathering to announce the results of the 2015 National Quality Award and Global Performance Excellence Award of the Asia-Pacific Quality Organisation, meeting among state leaders, ministries and entrepreneurs, a live programme and other media activities.

The ministry will also honour 20 excellent enterprises for constructive contribution in the past 20 years.

Science and technology can only be vital and be spread when it is applied in practice, especially in enterprise activities, Nguyen Quan, minister of science and technology said.

"Therefore, the event is essential because productivity and quality are imperative for the survival of enterprises and the core issue of the Vietnamese economy, as the country has signed the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) deal and joined the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC)," the minister emphasised.

Firms are judged on seven criteria of leadership, strategic planning, customer service, and knowledge in addition to measurement, analysis and management, workforce focus, and process management and results.

Nearly 1,700 awards have been presented in the past 20 years and 37 awards were won at the Asia-Pacific Global Performance Excellence Award. — VNS