Information technology (IT) specialists work at the Da Nang Software Park in central Da Nang. IT application significantly contributed to national socio-economic development over the last five years. — VNA/VNS Photo Van Son

HCM CITY (Biz Hub) — Application and development of information and telecommunications significantly contributed to national socio-economic growth during the 2011 – 2015 period, especially in HCM City, delegates heard at a meeting held in HCM City last Friday.

Speaking at the meeting, Phan Tam, deputy minister of the Information and Communications Ministry, said: "2015 was a very special year as the information and telecommunications industry became the biggest tax contributor to the State budget. Turnover of the industry was more than US$42 billion."

The industry has gained an annual growth rate of 20 -25 per cent, and since 2009, Viet Nam has been listed in the top 10 nations considered to be the most attractive for software processing.

All ministries, industries and localities now have websites that provide public services.

The broad application of information and telecommunications in businesses has also helped to develop e-commerce and promote labour productivity and competitiveness.

HCM City was recognised as a leader in developing information and telecommunications' applications with many achievements, including expanding the Quang Trung Software City (QTSC) to other localities, and completing rehearsals to protect and rescue information systems in case of attacks from the outside.

"However, the functions of information and telecommunications' networks and equipment haven't been fully used to increase efficiency in managing and operating State offices and enterprises. In addition, national database and information systems – the foundation for e-Government – have been deployed slowly," Tam added.

He also pointed out that human resource skills in information and telecommunications were limited in both State offices and the business community.

This year, the ministry will submit a review, amendments and additions to provisions in the Information and Communications Law as well as complete guidance for the Network Information Security Law, which will begin operation in July.

"To remain in the leading position, HCM City's Information and Communications Department has set a goal to boost the software industry, IT services, micro chipset production and IT application in State offices. It will also aim for IT safety during the 2016-2020 period," Le Thai Hy, director of the department, said.

Hy also asked the Government to offer support to the micro chipset industry by using Vietnamese-made chipsets in national projects.

Agreements signed

Also on March 11, the HCM City Computer Association signed a co-operation agreement with the municipal Department of Information and Communications to improve development of the city's information technology sector.

HCA also signed co-operation agreements with Panasonic, Sao Bac Dau Technologies Group, Luxoft Vietnam, Mat Bao Joint Stock Company, VinaCIS Corp, ROBO and others at a meeting of the city's IT industry the same day.

According to HCA, the agreements will enable IT firms to access quality management programmes and participate in investment promotion programmes both in and outside Viet Nam.

In addition, the department, HCA and firms will join hands to organise exhibitions, trade fairs, and seminars in the field to help firms share information and seek business partners, including the Viet Nam Information and Communication Technologies Outlook seminar.

Speaking at the event, Chu Tien Dung, HCA's chairman, said the information technology industry enjoyed high growth last year, with many firms doubling their growth rate over the previous year.

"The competitiveness of Vietnamese IT firms in the domestic and global markets has increasingly improved," he said.

With the Government's determination to shift to e-Government and offer online public services to better satisfy citizens and corporations, the IT sector is expected to have more chance to grow this year, he said. — VNS