A national scientific conference entitled ‘Developing Service Sector in the context of industrialisation and modernization to 2030, with a vision to 2045’ took place in Da Nang on Friday morning.

The event was jointly organised by the Party Central Committee's Economic Commission, the Da Nang Party Committee, and the University of Da Nang.

It was chaired by Head of the Party Central Committee's Economic Commission Tran Tuan Anh, Deputy Governor of the State Bank of Viet Nam Dao Minh Tu, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Doan Van Viet, Da Nang Party Committee Secretary Nguyen Van Quang, and Director of the University of Da Nang Nguyen Ngoc Vu.

Da Nang Party Committee Secretary Nguyen Van Quang delivering an opening speech at the conference. Photo: QUYNH TRANG

Addressing the conference, Da Nang Party chief Quang highlighted the significance of developing the service sector in the context of industrialisation and modernisation in not only creating driving force for economic development, but also arousing the potential, advantages and culture of the country and people of Vietnam, thereby creating closer links between sectors and fields and having spillover effects to the entire economy.

He also underlined that the conference played a vital role in developing the ‘Industrialisation and modernisation policy to 2030 with a vision to 2045’ project.

Secretary Quang also briefed the event attendees on Da Nang’s remarkable socio-economic development results since the city’s recognition as a centrally-governed city on 1 January 1997. Particularly, the city's technical infrastructure system has been invested synchronously and comprehensively to serve the service industry.

Also, the city has submitted its plans on building a regional financial centre, and establishing a non-tariff zone in the city.

“The aforementioned policies and orientations will create a foundation and driving force for the city to promote the development of the service industry in particular and the city's socio-economic situation in general in the coming time”, added Mr. Quang.

During the conference, many participating experts and scientists pointed out that the infrastructure development was one of the important factors to promote the development of the service sector in the context of industrialisation and modernisation to 2030 with a vision to 2045.

Dr. Du Phuoc Tan from the Ho Chi Minh City Institute for Development Studies underlined the importance of infrastructure development in boosting the development of the service sector.

He suggested localities select service sectors suitable to their conditions and advantages, as week as develop infrastructure in a synchronous manner, in a bid to promote the development of these service sectors.

Agreeing with this point of view, Secretary Quang remarked that the city has focused on infrastructure investment, for example, the Software Park No. 1. The construction of the Software Park No. 2 was underway.

Another prominent issue discussed at the event was to how to improve and promote the development of the logistics service sector.

According to Chairman of the Viet Nam Logistics Service Association Le Duy Hiep, the nation's logistics costs accounted for approximately 16.8% of the value of goods, while the global rate currently stands at only about 10.6%. He informed that a lack of synchronous infrastructure resulted in a hike in logistics costs.

He stressed the need to modernise logistics governance, with a focus on boosting digital transformation and application of technology in logistics operation management; and rationalising and synchronising logistics supply processes and chains, especially in international shipping and air transportation activities.

Director of the municipal Department of Industry and Trade Le Thi Kim Phuong underlined that the city has targeted to turn itself into one of the country’s commercial centres by 2030.

Therefore, special attention will be paid to developing the network of supermarkets and trade centres into a major wholesale and retail channel in urban areas, stabilising prices and enhancing quality of goods, maintaining sustainable import and export activities with a balanced and harmonious structure, increasing the city's competitiveness, and promoting its local brand names of goods.

In his closing speech delivered at the conference, Head of the Party Central Committee's Economic Commission Tran Tuan Anh spoke highly of reports and presentations for closely reflecting theoretical and practical issues relating to the development of the service sector in the context of industrialisation and modernisation.

He highly appreciated and basically agreed with the opinions raised by the delegates at the conference.

Mr. Anh emphasised that industrialisation and modernisation should be based on science, technology and innovation associated with the requirements of green growth, and sustainable and inclusive development, with a focus on comprehensive digital transformation in all industries and fields. He noted people played centre role in the industrialisation and modernisation cause.

“Today's exchange contents will significantly contribute to proposing new perspectives, key tasks, breakthrough solutions, and appropriate recommendations on guidelines and policies for the country’s industrialisation and modernisation cause to 2030 with a vision to 2045" said Head Tran Tuan Anh.

Reporting by QUYNH TRANG - Translating by M.DUNG