Eighty-nine memoranda of understanding, with potential value of more than VND1.35 trillion (US$83 million), were signed at Techmart 2005, a science and technology fair in HCM City
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| Visitors check out educational software at Techmart 2005 |
Eighty-nine memoranda of understanding, with potential value of more than VND1.35 trillion (US$83 million), were signed at Techmart 2005, a science and technology fair in
The first two days of the four-day National Technology Market, or Techmart 2005, featured more than 2,000 different kinds of machinery and technologies from about 40 foreign companies and 450 domestic companies.
"This year’s Techmart was better in both quantity and quality. The technology and equipment focused on
About 500 institutes, universities, research centres and enterprises are taking part in Techmart.
"Through such fairs, manufacturers can find products and technology at a reasonable price, which can help us increase our competitiveness," said Nguyen Tien Hung, general director of Pharma, a joint-venture company, which signed a $46,000 contract with Ha Noi’s
The fair featured, among many other products, biotechnology for growing plants of high economic value, inflatable rubber dykes, drying machines for fruit, canning machines, and special mushrooms grown for pharmaceutical purposes.
During the fair, seminars are being held on technology transfer, intellectual property rights in international trade, technical barriers to trade, and science and technology academic study.
Thirty-five consultants in different fields are also on hand to give advice on such matters as technology management, geographical information systems, power savings, information for technology and science, and intellectual property rights.
"The mart is part of the Government’s effort to promote technology in
"But authorities need to build a science and technology market now. We can’t wait another two years for the next Techmart."
He said the government will encourage consulting and intermediary organisations to develop more products and technologies.
"Development of this area depends on laws on intellectual property and technology transfer, both of which will be approved by the National Assembly by the end of November," Hai said.
Tran Thi Hong Cam, manager of the science research and development programme for new materials in the Ministry of Science and Technology, said the fair was a good opportunity for the ministry "to interact with the real market and see how effective our products are."
The first Techmart was organised in Ha Noi in 2003 with 319 units; contracts and MoUs worth VND2 trillion ($125 million) were signed.
(Source: VNS)
