The Australian government has announced its support for Vietnam to carry out research on the effects of technology innovation on productivity and economic growth in the country, according to the Embassy of Australia in Vietnam.

Illustrative image (Source: VNA) 

The study is part of the Aus4Innovation - a cooperation programme between the Vietnamese and Australian governments in 2018-2022 with a total budget of AUD11 million (US$7.05 million) to strengthen the innovation system and prepare for the digital future of Vietnam.

The research project will be carried out in 2020 with a funding of AUD500,000 (US$320,475) via collaboration between Data61 – a leading digital research powerhouse under the Australian Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology.

Once completed, the project will introduce models to assess the impact of technology applications on productivity and GDP growth in Vietnam.

Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Robyn Mudie said the study is an example showing that the two countries could turn their high-level cooperation in innovation into practical and meaningful projects.

Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Bui The Duy said this is the first time such a study has been carried out in Vietnam, offering a good chance for the country to approach new and creative methods in building policy.

The research project is conducted based on recommendations from a report on Vietnam's Future Digital Economy through 2030 and 2045 announced last year. The report was also funded by the Australian government.