The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted every aspect of life – and Da Nang's innovation startup ecosystem is no exception. Facing this situation, the municipal Department of Science and Technology has mapped out a handful of solutions to support the city’s creative and innovative startup ecosystem.

Director of the Da Nang Department of Science and Technology Le Duc Vien (left) and the Da Nang Entrepreneurship Support (DNES) representative entered into an agreement to support innovative start-ups in Da Nang. Photo taken in June 2021 by MAI QUE

“In the remaining months of this year, the Department of Science and Technology will focus on mobilising more financial resources to support startups to innovate technologies so as to promptly handle current difficulties and drive their post-pandemic recovery in the near future” Dr. Le Duc Vien, the department’s Director told Da Nang Newspaper in his recent interview.

Director Vien added, the emphasis will be on closely working with the Authority of the Hi-Tech Park and Industrial Parks to pilot circular economy model at the Hi-tech Park and industrial zones.

Greater efforts will be made to coordinate with relevant agencies under the Ministry of Science and Technology to accelerate the establishment of the National Innovative Startup Support Centre in Da Nang in late 2021.

In addition, the department will make some suggestions about the development of an innovative start-up ecosystem in the city over the 2022-2025 period, and the implementation of an intellectual property development programme with a vision towards 2030, for the Da Nang People’s Committee.

Moreover, the department will be active in supporting OCOP (One Commune-One Product ) and typical commercial products in the registration for intellectual property.

Last but not least, the Department will boost bilateral cooperation with the South Korean government to carry out projects on building mechanisms and policies to attract startup talents and international investors to Da Nang; renewing the city's growth model based on science, technology and innovation; and issuing policies on supporting enterprises to improve productivity and the quality of products, and enhance their competitiveness.

Dr. Le Duc Vien unveiled his department’s plans for fostering the development of a creative and innovative startup ecosystem in Da Nang over the 2022-2025 period.

Specifically, top priority will be given to continuing to consolidate and expand international cooperation on innovative start-ups, with a focus on cooperating with some of the world's leading startup ecosystems, attracting more investment resources to Da Nang and introducing Da Nang's innovative start-up projects to the international market.

It is expected that, by 2025, Da Nang will provide active support for 200 ‘Made-in-Da Nang’ innovative start-up projects, as well as promote the role of Da Nang Innovation Startup Support Center in promoting the images of the city's innovation startup ecosystem.

In order to realize the aforementioned solutions and directions, Dr. Vien underlined the need for the city to promote the transformation and upgrading of innovation-driven economic growth, with a focus on the circular economy, a modern economic model thought to be very suitable for Da Nang’s characteristics, which is believed to give a lift to thrive further in the coming time.

“Most importantly, the city should issue more preferential policies to attract experts and scientists to solve the city's challenges and problems in the new situation. In parallel with these tasks, Da Nang needs to soon join the International Association of Francophone Mayors (AIMF) and the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN), as well as foster cooperation with the network of cities in Europe and around the world.

Reporting by MAI QUE - Translating by MAI DUNG