Directive No. 11/2004/CT-BCN on Prioritizing Research, Implementation, and Promoting Application of Certain Technologies in the Industry Sector to Implement the Government's Science and Technology Development Strategy for Vietnam until 2010

 DIRECTIVE

On Prioritizing Research, Implementation, and Promoting Application of Certain Technologies
in the Industry Sector to Implement the Government's Strategy
"Developing Science and Technology in Vietnam until 2010" 

THE MINISTER OF INDUSTRY 

On December 31, 2003, the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 272/2003/QĐ-TTg approving the "Strategy for Developing Science and Technology in Vietnam until 2010".

The main idea of the strategy for developing science and technology (ST&T) in our country until 2010 is to focus on building a modern and integrated ST&T system in Vietnam, striving to reach an average advanced level in the region by 2010, making ST&T truly become the foundation and driving force for industrialization and modernization of the country. Building a national ST&T system with linkage, dynamism, sufficient strength, and managed under appropriate mechanisms; promoting international integration in ST&T; contributing significantly to improving the quality of growth and competitiveness of the economy; effectively serving the economic and social development goals approved at the Ninth National Party Congress.

To implement the Government's Strategy "Developing Science and Technology in Vietnam until 2010"; while preparing contents to complete the draft Strategy "Developing Science and Technology in the Industry Sector in Vietnam until 2010"; the Ministry requests all Departments, Bureaus, General Corporations, Companies, agencies under the Ministry, Provincial Industrial Departments, centrally-administered city departments, scientific and technological organizations, and enterprises in the industry sector to organize and coordinate well in implementing the following tasks.

1. Prioritize research, implementation, and selection of application of technologies serving production development and management in the industry sector:

In the period from now until 2010, it is necessary to intensify research and application in the industry sector, develop specific areas and technologies as follows.

a) Information and Communication Technology (ICT):

- Develop widespread application of new generation network technology; update internal information network connection technology, internet connection; provide general training for all managers and technical staff from company level to general corporation level, managers of provincial industrial departments, ministry-level industrial departments on how to exploit information on networks. Develop skills in using ICT tools to access, update, synthesize, and process information quickly and sensitively, serving the formulation of macro-industrial strategies and policies, and the management and operation of production and business activities in enterprises. Strive to achieve by the end of 2005, a seamless network system connecting the Ministry of Industry to provincial industrial departments and general corporations in the industry sector; complete internal network connections within general corporations, companies, and enterprises; ensure real-time information flow from grassroots levels to management levels and vice versa;

- Study and develop multimedia software, mobile communication devices, broadband ADSL services with large capacity based on certain advantages of the industry such as the ongoing expansion of optical power ground wire (OPGW), optical power parallel ground wire (OPPC), optical power weak wall wire (OPWW) systems, low-voltage power distribution systems, etc.; develop applications of management information systems, executive information systems, TV conference systems, telecopy systems, etc., to gradually industrialize management and operational systems, build an industrial culture based on knowledge;

- Pay attention to developing integrated database software and data updating software for all industrial specialties; software for economic and financial analysis; market analysis; resource management; activity pattern analysis; establish an information network security system serving management and control from grassroots to macro levels throughout the industry sector. Implement well the technical conditions for e-Government, complete the preparatory steps for the industry sector before 2010;

- Apply ICT in education at training and vocational schools; build digital teaching modules, simulation systems integrating multimedia to improve the quality of training at schools and training centers in the industry sector;

- Popularize the use of ICT in office work, combining the application of ISO 9001-2000 international quality management standards to reform administrative management work in agencies throughout the industry sector towards better quality, more thoroughness, and faster service.

b) Biotechnology (BT):

- Intensify research, implementation, and application of gene technology, gene selection and preservation to conserve rare raw material plant species, actively contributing to the development of raw material regions for the paper industry; tobacco industry; cotton production; oilseed crops for vegetable oil, flavoring, cosmetic industries; raw materials for beer and soft drink production;

- Develop tissue culture, grafting, and hybridization techniques to establish specialized seed centers, providing high-quality disease-free seedlings for raw material planting regions for paper; tobacco; cotton; vegetable oil-flavoring-cosmetic; beer and soft drink production;

- Research and popularize better applications of enzymes in food processing technology, beverage production, pharmaceuticals;

- Research the application of BT in product preservation processes in processing industries; pollution treatment processes in industrial projects, industrial zones, craft villages with organic waste;

c) New Materials Technology:

||| Study for application, receive technology transfer, master to self-develop:

||| - Advanced technologies in ironmaking and steelmaking production; production of high-quality alloy steel grades, aluminum alloys, copper alloys serving domestic machining and manufacturing of spare parts, components, casting molds, forging, stamping, large billets for the mechanical engineering manufacturing industry; manufacturing electrical equipment, energy industry, cement industry, transportation, chemical industry, security and defense needs;

||| - Production processes of alumina from bauxite ore, refining aluminum, copper, and other colored metals, prepare well the capacity for receiving technology, effectively exploit large projects producing the above products from domestic raw materials, replacing imports;

||| - Technology for producing composite materials reinforced with glass fibers, plant fibers, metal fibers, applied to mining industry, electronics industry, industrial construction projects, environmental industry, national defense, and other economic sectors;

||| - Polymer synthesis, high-grade plastics from petrochemical industry by-products (PVC, PP, PE, DOP...) as raw materials for manufacturing automobile parts, motorcycle parts, electrical and electronic equipment, other consumer products; research on production, blending, and developing various types of lubricating oils and greases supplied to specialized industries and other economic sectors;

||| - Advanced technologies in basic chemical production such as ion exchange technology for caustic soda, chlorine, phosphoric acid, various acids; production of chemical fertilizers, bio-fertilizers suitable for Vietnam's soil conditions, climate, and crop types;

||| - Processing various vegetable oils, producing anti-corrosion paints; using new materials, applying advanced energy-saving and high-yield technologies in the production of high-end ceramics, specialized ceramics for the industrial sector (electrical porcelain, high-temperature resistant ceramics, etc.);

||| d) Automation and mechatronics technology:

||| Study for application, receive technology transfer, master to self-develop:

||| - Popularize CAD/CAM technology for machine tools in the Mechanical Engineering-Manufacturing, Textile-Fashion, Leather-Shoe industries, creating highly accurate and sophisticated products, new designs of goods used domestically and for export;

||| - Design, build software, install, equip integrated monitoring, control, data collection, and processing systems (SCADA systems) widely applied in managing the operations of specialized industries;

||| - Popularize computer numerical control (CNC) technology, applicable to machine tools in the Mechanical Engineering-Manufacturing, Electrical Equipment Manufacturing industries;

||| - Design robots for production stages unsafe for humans, requiring high precision;

||| - Manufacture automatic control systems for continuous production processes, assembly line production, applied to automatic material handling systems, cement industry, building materials production, belt scale weighing, bulk material handling, etc.;

||| đ) Mechanical engineering-machine manufacturing technology:

||| - Study for application, receive technology transfer, master to self-develop accurate casting technology; die stamping technology; rolling billet forming; hot extrusion, post-sintering stamping and forming; plasma welding and automatic arc welding, electron beam welding; laser cutting; water jet cutting; high-frequency tempering; select appropriate applications in production stages, improve the quality of products under the Government's Key Mechanical Products Program; focus on designing, manufacturing, supplying complete sets of equipment for major projects in the industry (hydroelectric equipment, thermal power equipment, complete sets for paper production, fertilizer production, kilns, and cement production lines, etc.);

||| - Research to understand technological characteristics to develop plans for upgrading and modernizing existing mechanical manufacturing equipment, linked with the popularization of CAD/CAM/CNC technology in factories and mechanical manufacturing workshops;

||| - Invest in researching and applying technologies such as case hardening, heat treatment, coating, surface strengthening treatments, painting to reach advanced levels;

||| e) Energy technology:

||| - Research and develop software for energy demand forecasting, energy balance to serve the establishment of highly accurate energy planning schemes suitable for Vietnam's energy system characteristics. Complete the National Energy Policy development by 2005 for the period up to 2010, with a vision to 2020. Strengthen design technology capabilities for power projects to be fully independent in designing new power projects by 2010;

||| - Research on manufacturing technologies for AC motors up to 1000 kW, explosion-proof motors, diesel engines up to 400 HP; meet all medium voltage electrical equipment requirements; perfect the technology for manufacturing 110 kV, 220 kV transformers sufficient for the domestic market and part of exports;

||| - Research to thoroughly understand ultra-supercritical coal-fired power plant technology, nuclear power plant technology, prepare well for training human resources for nuclear power plant operation expected to appear after 2015 in Vietnam;

||| - Research on applying modern technologies for deep mining, ensuring safety, high productivity, and full resource extraction in coal mining; research on applying inclined drilling, horizontal drilling technologies; ||| Seismic survey technology and seismic data processing by 2D and 3D methods, gradually introduce and apply 4D seismic technology in oil and gas exploration and exploitation; research technological solutions for CO2 processing in natural gas processing to gradually master the technology, achieve self-reliance in technology for domestic production and overseas project investment. Ensure environmental safety in resource extraction;₂ ||| ||| Seismic survey technology and seismic data processing by 2D and 3D methods, gradually introduce and apply 4D seismic technology in oil and gas exploration and exploitation; research technological solutions for CO2 processing in natural gas processing to gradually master the technology, achieve self-reliance in technology for domestic production and overseas project investment. Ensure environmental safety in resource extraction.

||| Study to effectively utilize various forms of new and renewable energy on an industrial scale (wind engines, solar energy, small hydropower plants, biomass forms), replacing part of traditional energy, providing energy for remote residential areas far from centralized national energy supply sources. Incorporate research projects on producing alternative fuels to replace coal, oil, and natural gas into the industry's science and technology program.

2. ||| Enhance selective technology transfer acceptance, technological innovation, and equipment replacement in industrial enterprises to improve product quality and increase labor productivity.

- ||| From now until the end of 2005, organize research and complete the assessment of technological levels in various industrial specialties, clearly identify the current technological status and equipment level in enterprises within these specialties; based on this, implement the development of new and/or update and adjust technology development roadmap projects for these specialties up to 2010, taking into account the year 2020; implement the established roadmap.

- ||| The main direction in technological development in enterprises from now until 2010 focuses on importing modern technology from abroad and accepting technology transfers from domestic research institutions; selectively innovate and replace equipment in production stages to increase labor productivity, create higher quality products and new models; enhance the competitiveness of products in the domestic market, aiming for export; quickly master imported technology from abroad, moving towards self-research and development of indigenous technology.

- ||| Link scientific research and development programs, activities of scientific and technological organizations in the industry with market needs; guide enterprises to quickly access research results and inventions from scientific and technological organizations; maximize the advantages of information technology, quickly form and develop the industrial technology market.

3. ||| Responsibilities of state management agencies, Industry Departments, Holding Companies, Companies, scientific and technological organizations, units under the Ministry.

3.1. ||| Science and Technology Department:

- ||| Take the lead, coordinate with the Institute of Strategy and Industrial Policy, functional departments, Industry Departments, Holding Companies, based on summarizing the achievements over five years in implementing the strategy for developing science and technology in the industry (2001-2005); evaluate the results of implementing the Party Congress documents of the 9th term, resolutions of the Central Committee meetings of the 8th term, meeting 2, and the 9th term, meeting 6, regarding science and technology; build the "Strategy for Developing Science and Technology in the Industry of Vietnam until 2010". Complete the project and submit it to the Ministry for approval in the fourth quarter of 2004.

- ||| Take the lead, coordinate with Holding Companies and scientific and technological organizations to effectively implement the project "Assessing the Technological Level of Various Industrial Specialties", carried out over two years, 2004 and 2005; update results, prepare an interim report to submit to the Ministry at the end of 2004 and a final report at the beginning of the fourth quarter of 2005.

- ||| Take the lead, coordinate with functional departments, Industry Departments, Holding Companies, and scientific and technological organizations in the industry to study and propose mechanisms for reforming scientific and technological activities in accordance with the provisions of the Law on Science and Technology, closely aligning with the market and production needs; fully leverage the potential of material and intellectual resources of experts and scientists in scientific and technological organizations; effectively utilize the capabilities of National Key Laboratories assigned to organizations in the industry, intensify the implementation of priority research and development directions required in Section 1 of this Directive and the content of key programs. Pay attention to developing the ability of associations and professional societies to provide advisory, critical review, and social appraisal services for economic and social development programs, as well as for science and technology in the industry.

- ||| Take the lead, coordinate with Industry Departments, the Ministry of Industry's Information Center, the Industry Newspaper, the Industry Journal, the Institute of Strategy and Industrial Policy, and scientific and technological organizations in the industry to build a science and technology market, linking scientific research with actual production and promoting technology transfer.

- ||| Develop and implement strict regulations for the examination, assignment, inspection, acceptance, and post-research management of scientific and technological tasks.

3.2. ||| Organization and Cadre Department:

- ||| Take the lead, coordinate with the Science and Technology Department, functional departments, Holding Companies, and scientific and technological organizations in the industry to build a proposal for "Reorganizing and Reforming the Activities of Scientific and Technological Organizations" in the direction of strengthening autonomy and responsibility, maximizing the initiative and creative capacity of scientific and technological organizations, eliminating discriminatory and unequal regulations among scientific and technological organizations. Complete the report and submit it to the Ministry in the fourth quarter of 2004.

- ||| Take the lead, coordinate with the Science and Technology Department, functional departments, vocational colleges and training schools in the industry, Holding Companies, to establish a mechanism linking scientific research with education and training, connecting the activities of training institutions with research institutes to fully leverage the capabilities of the scientific and technological expert team, contributing to the development of the industry. Build a proposal for "Training Human Resources for Science and Technology", report to the Ministry in the first quarter of 2005.

3.3. ||| Finance and Accounting Department:

Take the lead, coordinate with functional departments to develop support policies for scientific and technological organizations during the transition process; policies encouraging collaboration between scientific and technological organizations and educational institutions; improve financial management mechanisms for scientific and technological activities, piloting them for units under the Ministry, ensuring compliance with current legal regulations of the State.

3.4. ||| Information Center:

- In conjunction with the Science and Technology Department, take the lead in coordinating with relevant Departments, Industrial Departments, State-owned Corporations, and scientific and technological organizations to propose an internal network connection program, internet connectivity, development of transmission systems, and construction of a smooth information flow network from the Government to the Ministry of Industry, from the Ministry of Industry to Industrial Departments, State-owned Corporations, Enterprises, and vice versa. Submit the content and implementation schedule of the program for approval by the Ministry in the fourth quarter of 2004.

- Develop utility software, accelerate the development of information technology in the industrial sector. Reasonably segment tasks to achieve results effectively, gradually integrate the industrial information network into management and administrative work, completing this before 2010.

3.5. International Cooperation Department:

CTake the lead in coordinating with relevant Departments and Industrial Departments to develop policies promoting international integration in science and technology, maximizing the potential for technology transfer from foreign countries through investment projects; contribute to accelerating the process of industrialization and modernization of the country. Pay attention to training experts through technology transfer.

3.6. Institute for Industrial Strategy and Policy Research:

Take the lead in coordinating with relevant Departments and State-owned Corporations to develop the "National Energy Policy"; complete the project and submit it to the Government in the fourth quarter of 2004.

3.7. State-owned Corporations under the Ministry:

- Actively coordinate with the Science and Technology Department to effectively implement the project "Assessment of Technological Levels in Various Industrial Specialties" concerning technologies and equipment currently in use in each specialty area; based on this, each Corporation has the responsibility to represent its specialty and develop new or update and perfect the "Technology and Equipment Renewal Roadmap until 2010" for its specialty, submitting it to the Ministry in the fourth quarter of 2005 for implementation.

- Direct subordinate units to actively modernize equipment and technology within each enterprise. Given the current conditions of the country, it is important to focus on importing technology from developed countries to address partial or full modernization needs of production lines in each enterprise, while also paying attention to selecting domestic technologies that have been quality-tested for application, thereby creating favorable conditions for the development of indigenous technologies.

4. Implementation Organization

Heads of Departments, Bureaus, Industrial Departments, State-owned Corporations, Enterprises, and scientific and technological organizations under the Ministry are responsible for detailing and implementing this Directive. Each unit must annually evaluate the results of Directive implementation, clearly stating achievements, unachieved items, difficulties encountered during implementation, and proposed solutions, reporting to the Ministry by December 25 through the Science and Technology Department for consolidation by the Department./.