The international forum Franconomics, a multidisciplinary dialogue on important socio-economic topics of countries in the French-speaking community, opened in Hanoi capital on October 22.

The two-day event, themed “From start-up to smart-up”, is jointly held by the International Francophone Institute (IFI) and the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF).

Besides activities in Hanoi, the forum also features the second national anthem singing festival, a pitching day for start-ups, and a launch ceremony for Hung Yen Digital Museum, as well as introductions to other digitalisation projects.

It is connected with more than 50 other locations across five continents and served as a platform for delegates to discuss innovative start-up (smart-up) in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which is a trend in a number of economic sectors around the world.

Delegates to the forum agreed that smart-up not only meant establishing a business which offered new products and services, but also operating the business in a smart way. Smart-ups should create high economic profits with low risks based on the application of information technology combined with modern management methods, along with digital transformation and the application of new technology.

Louise Mushikiwabo, secretary general of the OIF, said the organisation was moving towards digital transformation.

Students in the OIF had been equipped with digital transformation skills as well as knowledge about start-ups to better adapt to the labour market. The OIF would hold more training on digital transformation for the youth and women, especially those living in disadvantaged areas, she said.

Dinh Toan Thang, head of the European Department at the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said since Vietnam had become an official member of the French-speaking community, the country had affirmed its role as a key member of the community in Asia-Pacific, and actively taken part in the community’s activities. Those contributions had been highly appreciated by other partners inside and outside the community.

“Vietnam is ready to promote co-operation in the French-speaking community in sectors that it has experience in such as economic development, agriculture, education, health, information technology and communications,” he said.

The country attached importance to its partnership with the French-speaking community and was making practical contributions to the community’s summit in Tunisia next year, he added.

Franconomics is a multidisciplinary dialogue on important socio-economic topics for scientists, businesses, investors, and policymakers both inside and outside the French-speaking community with its 88 members and observers.

Each year it is organised in a different location in Vietnam to create opportunities for connecting and promoting co-operation, accessing and supplying technology, creating a high-quality workforce, and expanding the Partner Network for Development.