Recreational software being produced at TMA Solutions in Quang Trung Software Park in HCM City. The city aims to boost the development of its information and communication technology sector. — VNA/VNS Photo The Anh

HCM CITY (Biz Hub) — The HCM City Department of Information and Communication and the HCM City Computer Association (HCA) on Friday signed a co-operation agreement, intended to boost the development of the city's information and communication technology sector.

Under the agreement, the two sides will co-operate on research projects into ICT's human resources, as well as gather opinions on how to develop the sector's human resources between now and 2020.

Research into how prepared various state agencies and businesses are for IT integration, will be done this year.

They will hold annual events such as seminar on Viet Nam's information and communication technologies, and electronics and communication technology fair, as well as work together to generate business opportunities for local firms. In addition, they will offer short training courses for ICT firms.

Chu Tien Dung, HCA's chairman, said the association will also begin building a database for the industry, to help investors draw out better business strategies.

Dung said enterprises should focus more on developing applications based on new technology like cloud computing, big data and mobility, to catch up with global technology trends.

According to ICT firms, there is a strong demand for software products based on new technologies like cloud computing and mobility. However, a shortage of professional human resources, has prevented domestic firms from meeting big export orders, they said.

They called for closer co-operation between the relevant associations, agencies and businesses, to help develop human resources in the ICT industry.

On the same day, HCA also signed a co-operation agreement with the Viet Nam Electronics Industries Association, the Viet Nam Information Security Association, the HCM City Semi-Conductor Industry Association and the HCM City Young Business People Association, with the aim of sharing information and supporting one another's future development. — VNS