The ZIM programme has been carried out within the framework of a letter of intent on scientific and technological cooperation signed in December 2012 between the Vietnamese Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. 

The workshop to intrduce the Central Innovation Programme for SMEs in Berlin on June 12.

It looks to help transfer advanced technologies and improve the technical capacity of SMEs and scientific-technological organisations in Vietnam.

Tran Dong, Counsellor for Science and Technology at the Vietnamese Embassy in Germany, said the workshop was one of the three similar events held by the MoST to introduce the ZIM programme. The two previous events took place in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in late May.

The Berlin workshop aimed to give instructions on the approval process, financial mechanisms and methods for supporting the connection of Vietnamese and German scientists and businesses.

He added that during the Vietnam visit last March by German Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy Peter Altmaier, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc asked the European country to assist Vietnam to develop SMEs and some other fields, including digital technology, startups and innovation.

Meanwhile, Counsellor Dang Chung Thuy at the Vietnamese Embassy highlighted the importance of bilateral cooperation in researching, developing and commercialise technologies in the two countries’ SMEs.

He noted that with a dynamic economy, the Government’s efforts, the private sector’s investment and human resource advantages, Vietnam is becoming a startup and innovation hub in Asia-Pacific.

Felix Richter, Coordinator for International Cooperation at AiF Projekt GmbH, said apart from Vietnam, the ZIM programme has cooperated with 25 other countries. Each year, it issues announcements to invite businesses to propose feasible projects to seek funding.

He expressed his hope that the programme will expand its sponsorship scope to attract more SMEs and foster cooperation between the two countries.

Hanoi symphony concert to celebrate German composers

Compositions by famous German composers will be performed by international and Vietnamese artists in Hanoi on May 23.

German machinery firms seek opportunities in Vietnam

The German Machine Tool Builders’ Association (VDW) and the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GIC) held a seminar in Ho Chi Minh City on May 14 to discuss Germany’s new inventions in machine tool manufacturing. 

Provincial leader welcomes member of German Parliament Jurgen Martens

(BGO) – On April 18, Vice Chairman of the Bac Giang provincial People’s Committee (PPC) Duong Van Thai welcomed Jurgen Martens, member of German Parliament of the Free Democratic Party (FDP) and German organisation Friedrich - Naumann Stifung Fur die Freiheit (FNF) to visit the province to seek the local industrial development and investment attraction. 

Prime Minister hosts Germany's Thüringen Minister-President

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said he expects the eastern German federal state of Thüringen would act as a bridge for Vietnamese businesses to expand their cooperation and business in Germany and Europe.

Vietnam, German state intensify cooperation

Vietnamese Ambassador to Germany Nguyen Minh Vu has recently made a working visit to Erfurt city in the German state of Thuringen within the framework of the programmed aimed at intensifying the relations between the country and the state.

Source: VNA