The Prime Minister recently gave approval in principle for the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) to set up an ICT Industry Department to promote the production of made-in-Viet Nam terminal equipment and boost the electronics industry.

In a recent meeting with Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, the MIC said that in countries with developed ICT industries, such as Japan, South Korea and China, they had departments to promote ICT.

The functions of these departments were not only to build policies and regulate management but also support the development of the IT sector and market expansion for IT products and support enterprises in enhancing their competitive capacity, said the ministry.

These departments also had the task of specialising production areas; enhancing the operation of IT enterprises in foreign countries; surveying, researching and analysing technology; improving the quality of human resource and promoting trade.

However, the Prime Minister asked the ministry to clarify the criteria for establishing the department.

At a meeting in early August, the MIC said it would promote the establishment of an ICT Industry Department with the task of promoting made-in-Viet Nam end-to-end equipment and boosting the electronics industry including national defense, Internet of Things and Industry 4.0.

At the meeting, the MIC asked the Viettel Group to invite VNPT when organising bidding for telecommunication equipment in Viet Nam’s market as well as international markets.

The ministry also asked VNPT and Viettel, the two enterprises which produce ICT products, to provide equipment for the remaining networks to trial. If the quality and price is equivalent, domestic products must be prioritised.

Meanwhile, the ministry also instructed MobiFone to invest in research and development through the establishment of a development and production research institute. — VNS