Southern firms trail technology trend
Southern firms trail technology trend
Firms working in support industries in HCM City and southern Binh Duong Province are hesitant to invest in new technology, according to a survey conducted by the Ministry of Planning and Investment.
The survey was conducted last year by the ministry's National Centre for Socio-Economic Information and Forecast and collated responses from a sample of 650 firms.
According to findings, uncertainty over the future of Viet Nam's support industries was making firms nervous about upgrading technology. Only 41 per cent were deciding to invest while others were either uncertain or unwilling.
Trends also showed that only 3 per cent of firms had upgraded their machines over a three-year period. Thirty five per cent did not spend any money on new technology while 57 per cent of firms were shown to have partially upgraded during the same period.
Findings also showed 27 per cent of surveyed enterprises were using automatic machines, 58 per cent were using semi-automatic technology and 8 per cent were still operating manually. Foreign companies were shown to be twice as willing to use automatic machines.
The survey manager, Nguyen Viet Se, said investment was playing an important role in improving the and quality of output and was necessary for industry development.
Se also said that technology was an important factor in boosting export revenue.
Results also showed that export revenue accounted for 32.6 per cent of total revenue, with export revenue for foreign companies measuring 42.7 per cent, triple of that of domestic firms.
Speaking to Dau Tu ( Investment) Newspaper, Canon Department Manager Kinya Okada said that companies were finding it difficult to find local suppliers and that a lack of suppliers was forcing companies to import foreign products.
Few enterprises believed they were benefiting from Government policies. Respondents said erratic changes and inconsistencies in policy were making investment decisions more difficult.
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