The 5th Ho Chi Minh City Economic Forum (HEF) 2024 took place from September 24 to 27, 2024, under the theme “Industrial Transformation, a New Driver for Sustainable Development of Ho Chi Minh City.” Saigontel participated in the Forum as a founding member of the Fourth Industrial Revolution Center (C4IR) and was also a key sponsor of the event.

Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính and a representative from Saigontel – a founding member of C4IR – participate in the inauguration ceremony of the C4IR center

The Forum was attended by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Ho Chi Minh City Party Secretary Nguyen Van Nen, leaders from central government ministries and agencies, provincial authorities, and business representatives, as well as experts from 16 countries, including the United States, Japan, South Korea, China, Cuba, Russia, India, Germany, Australia, Italy, Portugal, Belarus, Hungary, Uruguay, Laos, and Cambodia.

Saigontel representative speaks at the Forum

As a speaker in the specialized discussions at the Forum, Mr. Harry Hughes, Vice Chairman of Saigontel’s Strategic Advisory Board, shared insights on the impact of the 4.0 industrial revolution on Vietnam’s industrial transformation. Additionally, with Saigontel’s extensive experience in industrial real estate investment, the company has carefully prepared to ensure its industrial parks are designed for the future, focusing on sustainability and technological innovation. Saigontel prioritizes integrating renewable energy into the infrastructure of its industrial parks, utilizing advanced emission-reduction technologies, contributing to Vietnam’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, as pledged by the Prime Minister at COP 26.

One of the major events during the Forum was the inauguration and launch of the Fourth Industrial Revolution Center (C4IR) in Ho Chi Minh City. The Center is headquartered in the Ho Chi Minh City Hi-Tech Park and officially commenced operations on September 24, 2024. Saigontel is one of the founding members of C4IR.

The Prime Minister presents flowers to the founding members of C4IR

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the Prime Minister emphasized that the establishment of the Center was an initiative of the World Economic Forum (WEF) and aligned with Vietnam’s development trends. He praised Ho Chi Minh City for quickly taking on the responsibility and implementing the public-private partnership initiative, especially in time for the Economic Forum. The Center is significant in fulfilling the nation’s policy of industrialization and modernization, meeting the demands of scientific and technological development, and innovation. It will also assist Vietnam in integrating deeply into the global science and technology community and promoting the Fourth Industrial Revolution, reinforcing Ho Chi Minh City’s leading role in economics, politics, society, and national defense.

As a founding member of C4IR, Saigontel, along with its partners, will contribute to integrating the Center into the global network of the World Economic Forum (WEF). This will enhance cooperation with other C4IR Centers worldwide to support policy proposals, research breakthrough areas for Ho Chi Minh City, in line with national and international trends, and mobilize resources and capital to help the government and businesses apply new technologies in line with the 4.0 industrial revolution in Ho Chi Minh City.

With Saigontel’s efforts in promoting innovation, green industrial parks, and green growth cooperation in recent times, as well as its long-term commitment to sustainable development in Vietnam, Saigontel hopes to contribute its valuable experience to the Center’s growth, helping Vietnam, particularly Ho Chi Minh City, seize opportunities and overcome challenges in the global 4.0 revolution.