Vietnam inaugurates Samsung-backed project on smart plants

The Ministry of Industry and Trade and Samsung Vietnam have kicked off a joint project on developing smart factories in the country, where about 60% of the giant's smartphones are made.

The duo have partnered in several industry promotion programs in Vietnam. Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Do Thang Hai said these programs have created positive signals for the country’s manufacturing and supporting industries.

"The cooperation programs have delivered far-reaching effects, offering domestic enterprises multiply opportunities in joining global supply chains," Hai noted at the project launching on Tuesday.

Signing a memorandum of understanding on carrying out the project in February, the ministry and Samsung Vietnam expected it would train 100 Vietnamese experts and provide consultation to 50 businesses in setting up smart factories in 2022 and next year.

In the first phase lasting until this June, 14 companies are project beneficiaries. Of these, seven are in Bac Ninh province, two in Vinh Phuc, one in Hung Yen, one in Ha Nam in the north, and three in Ho Chi Minh City.

Samsung Vietnam President Choi Joo Ho said what he wishes most is that the 14 enterprises could sharpen their competitive edge.

The Samsung-supported project is the latest program in a series of innovative consulting and training activities for Vietnamese businesses and experts to effectively strengthen synergy and enhance supporting industry development.

Currently, Samsung is training about 30 consultants. This year alone, the Korean tech giant expects to support 26 Vietnamese companies and train 50 experts in the project.

Since 2015, the Ministry of Industry and Trade and Samsung Vietnam have joined hands to implement a consulting program to improve competitiveness among 379 Vietnamese enterprises.

In the 2018-2021 period, the duo trained 406 experts in supporting industries. The two are also co-implementing a project to train 200 mold technicians in the 2020-2023 period.

Samsung Group has so far invested over $18 billion in Vietnam, making it a leading foreign investor in the country.