The “Inno Vietnam – Japan Fast Track Pitch 2023” programme revealed the six outstanding solutions at an awards ceremony in Hanoi. These winning innovations were selected from a pool of nearly 100 solutions submitted to the organizing committee since the programme’s launch on August 29. The initiative, aptly titled “Vietnam – Japan Innovation: The Road to Success,” is a collaborative effort between the National Innovation Centre (NIC), the Japan Trade Promotion Agency (JETRO), and the Japanese Embassy in Vietnam. It operates within the broader “ASEAN – Japan Co-Creation Fast Track Initiative” led by Vietnam’s Ministry of Planning and Investment and Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry.
Addressing the audience at the award ceremony, Minister of Planning and Investment, Nguyen Chi Dung, lauded the six winning solutions for their innovative and practical values that optimize processes and benefit society. He underscored the programme’s role in fostering connections between the business communities of both nations and further strengthening the Vietnam-Japan bilateral relationship. He remarked, “Vietnam – Japan Innovation: The Road to Success” was launched in a new and dynamic context, with the aim of finding effective solutions to transform challenges into opportunities.
Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Nishimura Yasutoshi, noted that 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Japan. During these five decades, Japanese businesses have expanded their presence in Vietnam. The Japanese Business Association in Vietnam boasts approximately 2,000 member companies operating across various sectors, including electrical manufacturing, electronics, automobiles, retail, information technology, and energy.
Yasutoshi emphasized that Japan remains committed to supporting innovation projects in Vietnam, particularly in the realms of digital transformation and green development.
During the awards ceremony, the two ministers engaged in discussions. Minister Dung expressed his hope for continued support from the Japanese minister towards the Ministry of Planning and Investment and NIC. He also encouraged more Japanese technology enterprises, research institutes, and universities to establish offices, research and development centers, and experimental manufacturing plants (fablabs) at the NIC’s Hoa Lac facility.
The six winning solutions represent a remarkable step forward in fostering innovation and deepening the relationship between Vietnam and Japan. The partnership continues to bear fruits and drive progress in the region.
