A virtual seminar took place in Da Nang on Thursday to discuss the connection for investment between the city’s startup ecosystem and Japanese partners.

It gathered approximately 70 representatives from the Viet Nam Science and Technology Office in Japan’s Osaka Prefecture, Japanese Business Association in Da Nang, Rainmaking Innovation Japan (RMIJ), and many sci-tech startups.

Mr. Vo Duc Anh, the Deputy Director of the Innovation  Startup Support Centre under the municipal Department of Science and Technology, said that Da Nang's innovation startup ecosystem comprises the Coordinating Council for Startup Network, an innovative startup support centre, 2 creative workspaces, 4 venture capital funds, 6 business incubators, 10 startup support clubs and 10 co-working spaces.

Up to now, the municipal administration has released 19 policies and mechanisms to promote start-up activities, there are 147 projects and over 50 innovative start-ups formed through incubation and support programs.

According to Mr. Le Hoang Phuc, the Deputy Director of the Da Nang Investment Promotion and Support Department, Japan is Da Nang's largest import and export partner and market.

The city is continuing administrative reform, creating the most favourable conditions for the investment process, including steps such as assisting investors in determining the location for project implementation, granting investment certificates, business registration licences and supporting post-licensing procedures.

In addition, the available support in terms of taxes, fees and charges is also attractive to Japanese businesses to invest in Da Nang.

Mr. Nakagawa Wataru, the Chairman of Japan Businesses’ Association in Da Nang, Chairman of Murata Manufacturing Viet Nam Co., Ltd based in the Hoa Khanh Industrial Park, said that the association is ready to accept proposals to support Da Nang’s innovative startup ecosystem.

Sharing the same view, Mr. Tran Thanh Tung, the representative of the Viet Nam Science and Technology Office in Osaka, said that Viet Nam and Japan have signed many memorandums of cooperation to promote creative startup activities, thus promoting cooperation between the innovative startup ecosystem in Da Nang and Japan.

Participants were actively involved in discussions on a series of topics, including the promotion of ties between the city and Japanese partners in organising startup-related events, programmes and training courses; as well as the development of startup and innovation ecosystem in accessing regional and international markets.

Also, solutions to perfect the legal corridor system and policies to attract investment capital during the integration period were also taken.

Between 2020 and now, Da Nang has spent over VND 4.1 billion (USD 175,102) to assist 23 innovative startups. To date, it counts 147 projects and over 50 start-ups of this kind formed through incubation and support programmes.

Reporting by MAI QUE - Translating by A.THU