The Ho Chi Minh City Union of Business Associations (HUBA) on September 24 launched a digital transformation programme for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to help improve their competitiveness.

Speakers at a press conference on September 24 introduce a HCM
City digital transformation programme for small and medium-sized enterprises.

The programme will be implemented in collaboration with the HCM City Computer Association and its members as a part of the city administration’s efforts to help SMEs gain better access to digital transformation solutions at reasonable costs.

Under the scheme, a committee for digital transformation under the management of the HUBA and a digital transformation training centre for enterprises will be established.

A portal will be built to support the digital transformation efforts, and a digital transformation solution package called Service Catalog will be established to support businesses.

The business association also introduced two basic digital transformation packages, the X-Starter (for start-ups) and X-SME (for SMEs), to be provided by reputed members of the computer association.

Speaking at a press conference held on September 24 to announce the programme, HUBA Chairman Chu Tien Dung stressed the importance of good infrastructure and a legal framework for digital transformation. 

Enterprises have recognised the importance of technologies in their operations and management, he said, adding that digital transformation will be the element to help them improve their competitive capacity and develop sustainably.

Lam Nguyen Hai Long, chairman of the computer association, said his association is working with other business groups in the city to publish a catalogue of IT products for enterprises’ digital transformation efforts.

He recommended that the city should provide free IT infrastructure for SMEs, and IT enterprises should offer digital transformation services at reduced prices.

The city should choose local enterprises to provide technologies for the programme because similar projects are already being carried out by IT enterprises in other provinces and cities, he added.

HCM City aims to become a smart city with e-government, e-enterprises and an electronic society by 2030, and set up a database by that year to assist with this.

By 2030 it also aims to push all public services online and provide them on multiple platforms, including mobile devices.

The e-economy is expected to account for 40% of the city’s economy.

The rate of individuals and enterprises having electronic accounts for payments will exceed 85%.

To obtain these goals, the city will strengthen communications and improve the awareness of its workers, the public and enterprises and create shared databases.

Experts said the digital transformation would affect all areas of the economy like health, education, transport, finance-banking, tourism, agriculture, logistics, environment, and energy.