WEF willing to back Vietnam’s digital economy: WEF President

Brende made his statement at a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue in Hanoi on September 13.

At the meeting, the Vietnamese official expressed his delight at the significant number of world leaders and businesses presented at the WEF on ASEAN (WEF ASEAN) this year, saying it reflects their interest in partnership and investment ties with the ASEAN in general and Vietnam in particular.

Hue lauded the close consultation between WEF and Vietnam in designing the topic, content, and agenda of the WEF-ASEAN 2018, which he considered to be in line with global trends and ASEAN’s 2018 theme of resilience and innovation community.

The WEF President revealed the forum has impressed participating businesses.

He praised the collaboration demonstrated by the host nation, noting that it has brought benefits to both ASEAN and Vietnam.

Brende forecast Vietnam’s economy will grow 7 percent this year, with the value of its stock market doubling in the past two years. 

The WEF wants Vietnam to step up innovation amid the 4th Industrial Revolution and is willing to back the effort, he affirmed.

Agreeing with the WEF President, Deputy PM Hue asked the organisation to help Vietnam build a national innovative centre to assist and incubate startups.

The three-day WEF ASEAN themed “ASEAN 4.0: Entrepreneurship and the Fourth Industrial Revolution” convened in Hanoi on September 11. This is the third time the WEF has chosen Vietnam as the venue for a regional WEF.

The WEF was established in 1971 as a non-profit foundation and headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. The forum engages the foremost political, business and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Laos, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.