Da Nang is emerging as a potential destination for innovative startups. That statement was made by Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Tran Van Tung at the opening ceremony of the Da Nang Startup and Innovation Festival (SURF) 2022 on Friday morning.

Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Tran Van Tung addressing the opening ceremony of SURF 2022. Photo: LE Vuong

Appreciating the potential for innovative start-ups in Da Nang, Deputy Minister Tung remarked that Da Nang has an extremely crucial role and position in the regional and national economic development strategies.

Under the Politburo-issued Resolution No. 43/NQ-TW dated January 24, 2019 regarding the city’s development to 2030 with a vision to 2045, Da Nang targets to become one of major socio-economic hubs in Viet Nam, and Southeast Asia with the role of an innovative startup centre.

He added that, Da Nang, over the past time, has taken appropriate steps and achieved many positive results, thereby developing an innovative startup ecosystem, issuing many policies and developing technical facilities for start-ups.

It can be said that Da Nang boasts great advantages and capabilities to develop and promote innovative start-up activities. Therefore, Mr. Tung asked the city to continue to support the development of new elements in the ecosystem, and strongly connect to the national and international innovation startup ecosystems.

In her remarks at the event, municipal People's Committee Vice Chairwoman Ngo Thi Kim Yen stated that SURF 2022 entitled ‘Innovation - Mastering the Future’ with the message ‘Da Nang - an attractive city for innovation startups’ is being taking place from November 5 - December 30.

Through such an event, Da Nang wants to continue promoting the linkage of elements in the city's innovation startup ecosystem, and startup ecosystems in Central Viet Nam and Central Highlands regions. This will facilitate startups in the city to access domestic and international experts, investors, and capital and technology resources, thereby boosting the development of the innovative start-up business community.

Vice Chairwoman of the Da Nang People's Committee Ngo Thi Kim Yen delivering an opening speech at SURF 2022. Photo: MAI QUE

Over recent years, Da Nang has constantly strived to develop an innovative startup ecosystem, with the continuous formation and development of supporting organizations, incubators, venture capital funds, angel investors and especially the innovative startup business community.

In particular, besides private incubators and incubators under the public-private partnership model, the city has established State-owned incubators, and an innovation startup support center under the Department of Science and Technology. Also, the city has worked with Ministry of Science and Technology to establish the National Innovative Startup Support Centre in Da Nang.

Da Nang has approved the investment portfolio of its Development Investment Fund, including investment items for innovative start-ups, and the arrangement of offices and innovation spaces in the Hi-Tech Park, and the Software Park No.2.

Over the past time, importance has been attached to directly supporting innovative startup projects, as well as issuing many mechanisms and policies such as preferential interest rate, financial support, technology innovation, intellectual property development, and innovation startup ecosystem development.

Thanks to this, Da Nang has been honoured with the Viet Nam Smart City Award by the Viet Nam Software and IT Services Association (VINASA) in the category of attractive cities for innovation start-ups.

Vice Chairwoman Yen hoped that, in the coming time, Da Nang's startup ecosystem would grow stronger and become one of Viet Nam's best destinations for innovative startups.

The city is committed to creating the most favourable conditions for businesses and considering them as the center of the development of the entire innovation startup ecosystem, Mrs. Yen noted.

Reporting by M.QUE, L.VUONG - Translating by M.DUNG