On the morning of October 4, local time, in Paris, General Secretary and President To Lam delivered a keynote speech at the FrancoTech Forum, a business event focusing on innovation and creativity within the Francophone community.

FrancoTech, an initiative spearheaded by French President Emmanuel Macron, is held as part of the 19th Francophone Summit. It aims to foster business connections and collaboration within the Francophone economic space.

The forum brought together around 1,500 representatives, including business leaders, economic experts, and Francophone scholars. The event concentrated on five key areas: digital technology and artificial intelligence, energy transition, human resources, logistics and food security, and financial services for innovation.

During his speech, Party Chief and President To Lam emphasized the transformative impact of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the digital economy, and advancements in science and technology. These factors, he noted, are becoming new growth engines for nations around the world. He stressed that investing in innovation and creativity is a strategic decision not only for nations but also for the business community.

"Vietnam has implemented various policies to encourage innovation and foster a vibrant entrepreneurial spirit, creating the most favorable conditions for businesses to thrive and grow," he said.

He highlighted the substantial contributions of businesses and the application of science and technology to Vietnam’s economic achievements in recent years. He noted that Vietnam has moved from being an underdeveloped economy to ranking among the top 40 largest economies globally and is now one of the top 20 economies with the largest trade volumes worldwide.

"Science, technology, and innovation will be our inevitable choice as we enter a new era of national development," he affirmed.

With over 1.2 billion people, accounting for 16% of global GDP and 20% of world trade, the Francophone community offers vast opportunities for economic cooperation, investment, and trade. Party leader and President To Lam emphasized that the full potential of these opportunities can only be realized through the collective efforts of the business community.

The FrancoTech Forum, he noted, serves not just as an economic platform but also as a crucial bridge where businesses, investors, and key stakeholders can share experiences, explore cooperation opportunities, and contribute to shared growth.

Mr. To Lam praised the forum’s focus on five essential topics, reflecting the responsibility of businesses to address urgent global challenges.

Vietnam, with its young and dynamic population and rapidly expanding digital economy, is becoming a highly promising market. The country is focused on becoming a modern industrialized nation, with the digital economy at its core.

Party Chief and President To Lam expressed Vietnam's desire for closer cooperation with its partners, including France and other Francophone countries, to develop high-potential, cutting-edge industries.

He called on Francophone businesses and investors to continue their interest in Vietnam, which offers an increasingly favorable business environment with attractive incentives. Vietnam's strategic location makes it an ideal hub for Francophone companies aiming to grow into large international corporations.

"Vietnam is ready to support African nations in the spirit of 'if you want to go far, go together,'" Party Chief and President To Lam remarked, reinforcing the country’s commitment to fostering collaboration within the Francophone community.

With confidence in the vast potential and strong partnerships between Vietnam, France, and the Francophone community, Mr. To Lam concluded, "Together, we will open new chapters in cooperation, making positive contributions to the growth of businesses and nations alike."