The development of the science and technology market in combination with technology connection and international cooperation is opening up many opportunities for Da Nang.

Australian experts and representatives of the Da Nang Innovation Startup Support Centre visiting the chip manufacturing area at the Trung Nam EMS Joint Stock Company based in the Da Nang Hi-Tech Park. Photo: DANG TRINH

Favourable policies, mechanisms

In recent times, the Central and municipal governments have had many policies to support the development of the science and technology market and attract foreign partners.

One of the bright spots in policy, motivating Da Nang enterprises to develop, is the National Assembly's issuance of Resolution 136/2024/QH15 on the organisation of urban government and piloting a number of specific mechanisms and policies for the development of the city. Included are many new and unprecedented issues and fields such as the establishment of free trade zone; piloting financial mechanisms; carbon credit offset exchange; attracting strategic investors in a number of semiconductor and artificial intelligence industries; and policies on controlled testing, science and technology development, and innovation.

Currently, the Da Nang High-Tech Park is concentrating on appealing for investment in six key technology and product groups, including semiconductor chip technology, semiconductor microchip industry, component manufacturing, flexible electronics (PE), chips, new materials, etc.

According to Mr. Ngo Tan Hoa, Deputy Director of the Da Nang Hi-tech Park's General Service Centre, the city has many preferential policies, specifically, investors in the Da Nang High-Tech Park will enjoy land rent and site clearance exemption in some cases; income tax exemption for the first 4 years and 50% income tax reduction for the next 9 years for enterprises with new investment projects; and other corporate income tax incentives.

Many foreign technologies are connected

Over the past years, the municipal Department of Science and Technology has organised investment promotion and technology connection programmes in such developed countries as South Korea, China, Singapore, and Australia. These activities have helped strengthen international cooperation in the field of science and technology, seek investment opportunities, and transfer technology to support Da Nang enterprises.

Recently, the Da Nang Innovation Startup Support Centre has connected with partners from Australia, bringing a number of new modern technologies that can be applied and transferred to Da Nang units and enterprises.

Notable among them has been the breakthrough fireproof technology. This technology includes the world's first fireproof expanding paint, currently commercialised in Australia and the US. In addition, there is quantum computing technology based on the principles of quantum mechanics, allowing information processing with outstanding speed and efficiency, and opening up opportunities for wide application in areas such as healthcare, finance, materials and cyber security.

It is known that units citywide have had outstanding connections such as the Duy Tan University researching and implementing cooperation with the University of New South Wales to bring opportunities for students and lecturers to access advanced technologies, and at the same time participating in joint research projects with the aim to improve capacity and creativity in the international academic environment. In the medical field, the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in disease diagnosis and treatment is shared and connected with the city’s Hospital No.199.

According to the municipal Department of Science and Technology, connecting foreign technology transfer to Da Nang will contribute to promoting innovation and developing the science and technology market. However, difficulties in resources, technological infrastructure and public-private partnership mechanisms are still barriers. The volume of technology transactions is limited, and intermediary organisations are weak in consulting, pricing and promoting technology transfer. Enterprises also face difficulties in accessing high technologies. This is a problem that Da Nang needs to continue to solve in the coming time.

Reporting by DANG TRINH - Translating by M.DUNG