Application and development of information and telecommunications significantly contributed to national socio-economic growth during the 2011 – 2015 period, especially in HCM City, delegates heard at a recent meeting held in HCM City.

Application and development of information and telecommunications significantly contributed to national socio-economic growth during the 2011 – 2015 period, especially in HCM City, delegates heard at a recent meeting held in HCM City.

Speaking at the meeting on March 11, Phan Tam, Deputy Minister of the Information and Communications Ministry, said: “2015 was a very special year as the information and telecommunications industry became the biggest tax contributor to the State budget. Turnover of the industry was more than 42 billion USD.”

The industry has gained an annual growth rate of 20 -25 percent, and since 2009, Vietnam has been listed in the top 10 nations considered to be the most attractive for software processing.

All ministries, industries and localities now have websites that provide public services.

The broad application of information and telecommunications in businesses has also helped to develop e-commerce and promote labour productivity and competitiveness.

HCM City was recognised as a leader in developing information and telecommunications’ applications with many achievements, including expanding the Quang Trung Software City (QTSC) to other localities, and completing rehearsals to protect and rescue information systems in case of attacks from the outside.

“However, the functions of information and communications’ networks and equipment haven’t been fully used to increase efficiency in managing and operating State offices and enterprises. In addition, national database and information systems – the foundation for e-Government – have been deployed slowly,” Tam added.

He also pointed out that human resource skills in information and telecommunications were limited in both State offices and the business community.

This year, the ministry will submit a review, amendments and additions to provisions in the Information and Communications Law as well as complete guidance for the Network Information Security Law, which will begin operation in July.

“To remain in the leading position, HCM City’s Information and Communications Department has set a goal to boost the software industry, IT services, micro chipset production and IT application in State offices. It will also aim for IT safety during the 2016-2020 period,” Le Thai Hy, director of the department, said.

Hy also asked the Government to offer support to the micro chipset industry by using Vietnamese-made chipsets in national projects.