(BNP) - On the afternoon of February 26th, the delegation of the Ministry of Science and Technology (S&T), led by Deputy Minister Hoang Minh, held a working session with the People's Committee of Bac Ninh province to promote technology application and transfer, innovation, creative entrepreneurship, the development of S&T enterprises, and strengthen the "three-party" linkage in the province. Attending the meeting were Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee and Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Mai Son; and representatives from provincial departments, agencies, and units.
Overview of the working session.
At the meeting, the leaders of the Department of S&T stated that Bac Ninh currently did not have a dedicated provincial Innovation Center; innovation tasks were currently assigned to units under the Department of S&T. The province had studied options for establishing an Innovation Center based on a state-owned enterprise model or a public service unit model under the Department of S&T. However, the process of developing the plan was facing obstacles related to the mechanism of state capital investment according to Law No. 68/2025/QH15 and Decree No. 366/2025/ND-CP. Initially, the province planned to establish an Innovation Center as a public service unit, with a roadmap for financial autonomy in the 2027-2028 period.
In addition, the province was also continuing to direct the Department of S&T to study the establishment of a local Innovation Fund according to Decree No. 264/2025/ND-CP. Therefore, the province requested the Ministry of S&T to provide guidance on the establishment of the Environmental Investment Fund in accordance with the provisions of No. 68/2025/QH15 and Decree No. 366/2025/ND-CP; and to research and issue a general guidance framework on the subjects, content, and levels of support so that localities would have a basis for developing policies suitable to their practical conditions.
The Director of the Department of S&T reports on several issues and requests guidance and support from the Ministry of S&T to promote innovation activities in the province.
During the working session, delegates focused on discussing the content and tasks related to the development of S&T, innovation, and digital transformation in 2026; emphasizing the following points: organizing the assessment of enterprise technology levels; developing a plan to upgrade production lines; establishing an appraisal council when decentralizing the issuance of high-tech enterprise certificates; supporting the development of semiconductor, artificial intelligence, and unmanned aerial vehicle industries; and orienting the planning of digital technology industrial parks linked to the key industries of the locality, etc.
Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Mai Son speaks at the working session.
Speaking at the working session, Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Mai Son thanked the delegation from the Ministry of S&T for their attention and for dedicating time to working and engaging in frank and responsible discussions with Bac Ninh province on issues related to the development of S&T and innovation. He expressed his hope that in the future, Bac Ninh would continue to receive the attention, guidance, and support of the Ministry to overcome difficulties, improve mechanisms, and promote the effective and sustainable development of the innovation ecosystem.
He emphasized the province's economic growth rate in 2025; especially the increase of 5 ranks in the Provincial Innovation Index (PII), ranking 6th out of 34 provinces and cities. He stated that to meet the requirements of socio-economic development in the province in the next phase, the province was implementing a project to establish an Innovation Center; focusing on selecting key tasks to upgrade digital infrastructure; policy mechanisms and promote large-scale technology transfer.
Regarding the establishment of the Provincial Innovation Center, he expressed his hope that the Ministry of S&T would provide guidance and support on the operational plan, helping the province to launch the Center in the second quarter of 2026. At the same time, he requested support to promote several innovation activities in the province, including establishing the Provincial Innovation Center; technology transfer and application; innovation, entrepreneurship, and development of S&T enterprises and intellectual property; and training high-quality human resources to meet the province's development needs, etc.
Deputy Minister of S&T Hoang Minh concludes the working session.
Concluding the working session, Deputy Minister of S&T Hoang Minh acknowledged the efforts and proactive approach of Bac Ninh province in building an innovation ecosystem by developing a plan to establish an Innovation Center. Currently, some localities had Innovation Centers; however, most of these centers were formed spontaneously and lacked a unified operating standard. Therefore, the Deputy Minister hoped that the establishment of the Bac Ninh Provincial Innovation Center would serve as a model to be replicated in other localities nationwide. The Ministry of S&T was ready to cooperate with localities in implementing the plan to establish Innovation Centers.
In parallel with the task of developing S&T and innovation, in 2026, the Ministry would focus on promoting the development of intellectual property to enhance the value of goods in localities. At the same time, strengthen technology management, especially technology management in industrial development investment projects.
Delegates attend the signing ceremony of the cooperation agreement aimed at promoting the application of technology, innovation, entrepreneurship, and the development of S&T enterprises in the province.
Regarding the province's proposals, the Ministry would compile them, coordinate with relevant ministries and agencies to study and provide guidance, resolve obstacles, and create conditions for Bac Ninh to play its role as a key industrial area, gradually forming an innovation ecosystem closely linked to the "three stakeholders" (government, businesses, scientists, and the people), and improving the productivity, quality, and competitiveness of businesses in the province.
At the working session, the Ministry of S&T and the People's Committee of Bac Ninh province signed a cooperation agreement to promote the application of technology, innovation, entrepreneurship, and the development of S&T enterprises in Bac Ninh province.
