APEC Workshop on promoting digital transformation for MSMEs in the context of AI development
WVR - On July 30-31 in Hanoi, the APEC 2027 Secretariat, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam and the Agency for Enterprise Development and Collective Economy, Ministry of Finance of Vietnam, organized the "APEC Workshop on Empowering MSMEs Through Digital Transformation in the AI-driven World".
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| Party Central Committee Member, Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu meets with speakers attending the APEC Workshop on Promoting Digital Transformation for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises in the Context of AI Development. (Photo: Trung Hieu) |
The workshop is an initiative proposed by Vietnam within the framework of the APEC SME Working Group, contributing to promoting regional cooperation on digital transformation and innovation, and preparing for APEC Vietnam 2027.
The workshop had the participation of nearly 150 delegates from APEC member economies, the APEC International Secretariat, experts from the World Bank (WB), International Monetary Fund (IMF), Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Asian Development Bank (ADB), United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), leading technology corporations like Google, Meta, Toshiba, CMC, along with representatives from research institutes and the private sector.
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| Party Central Committee Member, Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu takes a commemorative photo with speakers attending the APEC Workshop on Promoting Digital Transformation for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises in the Context of AI Development. (Photo: Trung Hieu) |
In his opening remarks, Party Central Committee Member, Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Head of the APEC 2027 National Secretariat Nguyen Minh Vu emphasized that micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) have always been the driving force of growth, innovation, and job creation, accounting for over 97% of total enterprises in the APEC region. In the context of artificial intelligence and digital technologies reshaping the global economy, enhancing digital capabilities for MSMEs is not only to help businesses adapt to digital transformation but, more importantly, to open up a new impetus for increasing productivity, efficiency, and competitiveness in the AI era.
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| Party Central Committee Member, Standing Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Head of the APEC 2027 National Secretariat Nguyen Minh Vu delivers the opening speech at the APEC Workshop on Promoting Digital Transformation for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises in the Context of AI Development. (Photo: Trung Hieu) |
The Permanent Deputy Minister affirmed that for Vietnam, developing the private economic sector and enhancing the competitiveness of MSMEs is a strategic priority in the new development phase, contributing to realizing the goal of rapid and sustainable growth based on science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation. To achieve this goal, Vietnam wishes to strengthen cooperation with APEC economies, promote technology transfer, share experiences, develop digital human resources, and build a favorable ecosystem for MSMEs to effectively leverage digital transformation and artificial intelligence.
On this basis, the Standing Deputy Minister emphasized that as the host of APEC 2027, Vietnam will continue to closely coordinate with APEC members to promote practical cooperation initiatives, thereby creating new momentum for productivity growth, enhancing competitiveness, and strengthening the resilience of the regional economy.
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| Deputy Director of the Agency for Enterprise Development and Collective Economy Trinh Thi Huong speaks at the Workshop. (Photo: Trung Hieu) |
In her welcoming remarks at the Workshop, Deputy Director of the Agency for Enterprise Development and Collective Economy Trinh Thi Huong emphasized that digital transformation and AI application need to be linked to the practical needs of businesses, especially in the MSME sector, to create changes in productivity, management efficiency, and market access capabilities. She also stated that sharing experiences, enhancing cooperation among APEC economies, and mobilizing resources from international organizations will contribute to building a comprehensive support ecosystem, helping MSMEs develop sustainably in the digital era.
Speaking at the Workshop, APEC Digital Economy Steering Group Chair Ichwan Nasution shared APEC's cooperation priorities in the coming time, including promoting the application of digital technologies and artificial intelligence, enhancing digital connectivity, bridging the digital divide, building a safe and reliable digital environment, and supporting businesses, especially MSMEs, to effectively leverage opportunities from digital transformation. He expressed confidence that the exchanges and policy recommendations at the Workshop will make practical contributions to shaping APEC's digital economy agenda, while also supporting Vietnam in preparing content for APEC 2027.
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| Overview of the APEC Workshop on Promoting Digital Transformation for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises in the Context of AI Development. (Photo: Trung Hieu) |
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| The workshop had the participation of nearly 150 delegates from APEC member economies, the APEC International Secretariat, experts from the World Bank (WB), International Monetary Fund (IMF), Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and leading technology corporations. (Photo: Trung Hieu) |
During the two-day event, the Workshop will focus on analyzing new trends in artificial intelligence and digital transformation that are changing business models, supply chains, and labor markets; sharing solutions and AI application models to enhance productivity, operational efficiency, and participation in global value chains for MSMEs; discussing policies to promote digital skills development, bridge the digital divide, enhance access to finance, digital infrastructure, and build a favorable ecosystem for businesses to apply AI safely and responsibly; and proposing regional cooperation directions on experience sharing, resource mobilization, and promoting joint APEC initiatives to support MSMEs in the digital era.
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| Central Committee Member, Standing Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu takes a commemorative photo with Ambassadors and speakers attending the APEC Workshop on Promoting Digital Transformation for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises in the Context of AI Development. (Photo: Trung Hieu) |
In the context of AI becoming a new driver of productivity and growth, the Workshop reaffirms the determination of APEC economies to ensure that digital transformation occurs inclusively, with businesses at the center and regional cooperation as the foundation. The outcomes and recommendations of the Workshop will be compiled into policy proposals submitted to the APEC SME Working Group, contributing to the agenda of APEC Vietnam 2027, thereby continuing to affirm Vietnam's proactive, positive, and responsible role in promoting regional economic cooperation initiatives.
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| Central Committee Member, Standing Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu takes a commemorative photo with delegates attending the APEC Workshop on promoting digital transformation for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises in the context of AI development. (Photo: Trung Hieu) |
