Scene at the signing ceremony (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology and Finland’sMinistry of Economic Affairs and Employment signed a memorandum ofunderstanding (MoU) on cooperation in science, technology, and innovation inHanoi on October 16.
The signingceremony took place as part of an ongoing visit to Vietnam by Finnish Ministerof Economic Affairs Mika Lintila and a business delegation.
Speaking atthe event, Minister of Science and Technology Chu Ngoc Anh said that joint workin these areas is key to turning the cooperation potential and opportunitiesbetween the two countries into reality, especially as the EU-Vietnam Free TradeAgreement will soon be signed and take effect, bringing practical benefits toVietnamese and Finnish businesses and enterprises.
TheEuropean Union, of which Finland is a member, is the biggest non-refundable aidprovider of Vietnam in recent years, he said, noting that the Vietnam-FinlandInnovation Partnership Programme (IPP) has helped Vietnam boost its innovationcapacity, build a healthy startup ecosystem, grow its economy, and improve itsranking on the global innovation and competitiveness index.
Theminister highlighted that the freshly signed MoU is an outcome of bilateralefforts to open a new cooperation chapter and capitalise on the two countries’strengths to benefit their science-technology bodies, research institutes,universities, enterprises, and people.
The dealoffers a chance for both sides to take part in technology transfer projects,join research programmes, and boost the commercialisation of their researchoutcomes based on win-win principles.
FinnishMinister of Economic Affairs Mika Lintila said the IPP has successfullycompleted its first and second phases, expressing his belief in the programme’spositive impact on business growth.
Finland hopesfor stronger cooperation programmes with Vietnam in tackling global issues likeclimate change and resource depletion, he said, considering the signing of theMoU as specific evidence and commitment for the two countries to join handstogether in global issues.
He said thepact will create favourable conditions for the development of innovation andcooperation between Vietnamese and Finnish enterprises.
Earlier,Minister Anh had a working session with the Finnish Ministry of EconomicAffairs and Employment delegation to discuss bilateral collaboration. –VNA
VNA
