The 21^st ASPA 2017 Conference

19^th to 21^st October 2017

Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam

WELCOME MESSAGE BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HO CHI MINH CITY PEOPLE’S COMMITTEE

It is a great honor for Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, to host the 21st Annual Conference of Asian Science Park Association in October, 2017 (ASPA 2017 HCMC)

Science and Technology development plays a crucial role in fostering global economic integration in light of the growth pattern of Asian economies. The ASPA 2017 HCMC themed “Science Parks in Empowering Growth Quality and Competitiveness of National Economy” which focuses on recent activities and achievements of the Asian Science and Technology Parks for contribution to the sustainable growing quality and competiveness of their national economy.

Ho Chi Minh City, the host of ASPA 2017, believes this event will continue to be a platform for ASPA members and participating countries to exchange information and experience, thus strengthening policies on economic, scientific and technological development and as well economic competitiveness enhancement at both national and local level.

On behalf of the Organizing Committee, I warmly welcome you to the ASPA 2017 in Ho Chi Minh City.

Chairman of the Municipal People’s Committee

Nguyen Thanh Phong

HO CHI MINH CITY – PEARL OF THE EAST VIETNAMESE - CITY OF OPPORTUNITY.

Formerly known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City is the biggest center of economy, culture and education in Vietnam. This city has all conditions of intelligence, natural resources, human resources, and internal resources of the country, and therefore, can contribute greatly to the promotion and development of Vietnam’s economy.

Covering the total area of 0.6% over the total area of the whole country, however HCMC has the population of 8,34% of the country (8.224.000 people – as of end of 2015). HCMC is naturally favored, located at the central point of economically developed regions. HCMC is the focal point of Southeast region, the trade gateway that is easily accessible through roads, freight or airway. Thanks to the ideal location, HCMC is the place for many regional exchanges, trade, domestic and international cultural exchanges and that makes HCMC the most vibrant home of many economic and cultural activities.

Besides, Though located in the tropical savanna climate, HCMC has no diversity of climate, the weather remains stable with only rainy and dry season and there is very limited exposure from adverse weather conditions like storms or floods.

This is one of the city advantages that make many investors choose HCMC as the place to be, in the same time help the city promote its many economic sectors especially tourism.

Being a nuclear of the main economic region in the south, whose contribution one third of the country’s GDP, HCMC becomes the hub for high level human resources with many incentives and favorable business environment to attract many investors, being one of the biggest foreign invested province of VN.

HCMC is the center for economy, commerce, service, finance and banking, culture and education of Vietnam, especially the biggest import-export hub of Vietnam. In future, HCMC will become the first province focus on developing main economic sectors such as machine manufacturing, household mechanics, tool manufacturing, car manufacturing, high tech industries, while maintaining nation’s the most attractive spot for domestic and foreign investment.

According to the Department of Statistics, in first nine months of 2015, the city has 579 foreign- funded projects with the total capital up to 747.2 million USD, an increase of 45,84% in terms of number of projects and about 31.62% in terms of the capital quarter on quarter. The average registered capital of a project reached 1,29 million USD.

Moving towards the process of globalization, HCMC aims to become the biggest economic, commercial, service, financial center of Vietnam. With convergence of human resources, infrastructure, there will act as sustainable motivation for the Southern region’s economic strength in particular and for the entire country in general, which would facilitate and establish more opportunities for foreign investors in many different sectors and truly become the place for talents, national and international enterprises.

Conference Program

Contact Information

Saigon Hi-Tech Park (SHTP)

• Adress: Lot T2-3, D1 Rd, Saigon Hi-Tech Park - Ha Noi Highway,

Tan Phu Ward, District 9, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

• Tel: (+84) 3736 0293 – Ext: 108

• Homepage: www.aspa2017-hcmc.vn

• Email: aspa2017@tphcm.gov.vn