On the morning of June 7, a delegation of the USAID Linkages for Small and Medium Enterprises (LinkSME) project had a working visit to Quang Trung Software City (QTSC) with the aim to learn about the activities of research & development (R&D) and digital transformation, especially in the agricultural sector.

Opening the meeting was a brief introduction about QTSC’s operation model and future development orientation. Over 20 years of establishment and development, QTSC has become one of the leading software parks in Asia. Along with the constant pulse of digital transformation and innovation, and the ambition of developing into a leading Science City in the region, QTSC has no longer been a Software City but instead of a Quality Tech Solution Complex aiming to affirm QTSC’s goal to become a tech hub providing high quality technology solutions, as well as a place to actively seek for "Make in Vietnam" technology products/services/solutions.

Throughout the presentation, the delegation was very impressed by the model of QTSC R&D Labs – a specialized area of research and development for new products and solutions. As a home for R&D startups, QTSC R&D Labs was established with the goal of creating a public space for research and development, as well as supporting enterprises for research and application, attracting many leading R&D experts to work in QTSC.

Listening to the introduction of QTSC and DXCenter.

Visiting Agriculture and Automation Solutions Company Limited operating at QTSC R&D Labs.

Next, in the program, USAID LinkSME project delegation was introduced to Ho Chi Minh Digital Transformation Consulting and Support Center (DXCenter), which is a science – technology center under QTSC. Being an official unit of HCMC, DXCenter performs a digital transformation mission, contributes to the completion and development of the digital transformation ecosystem in Vietnam, especially in HCMC and the southern key economic zones.

DXCenter aims to consult, assist and monitor the process of all digital transformation activities. Simultaneously, DXCenter aims to build a collaborative IT community to further product research and development to cater to all existing and new consumers within city area.

For instance, DXCenter highlights the importance of digital transformation in these days and age for small businesses with 3-5 employees, such as cafés, fashion boutiques or local grocery stores. The company offers 'affordable' options providing solutions to operational issues such as: how to increase revenue and efficiency. Through upskilling and educating residents, local businesses (big or small enterprises alike) will, in turn, bring about positive economic and social impacts for the city.

With existing projects development with SMEs as well as the agricultural sector, USAID LinkSME project’s representative was very excited to delve deeper into the following area mentioned above together with sharing the process of our collaboration in the future.

Source: QTSC