ICT and Electronics Expo 2007: A Convergence of Technology, Policy and Trends

The 12^th Vietnam Computer Electronics World Expo 2007 (VCW 2007) and Vietnam ICT Outlook 2007 (VIO 2007) is the largest annual event of its kind in Vietnam and Indochina, to be opened in Ho Chi Minh City from July 10-15, 2007.

 

Being the fastest growing economy, and information and communications technology (ICT) industry in Southeast Asia, and being a full member of the WTO, the application of ICT and e-commerce has become imperative with the advantages in cost and time savings for the society, organisations and enterprises. The event is not only an opportunity to promote and learn about this industry, but also helps industrial policy makers and consumers to update and plan accurately for the future, said Mr Le Thanh Tam, Indochina and Vietnam IDG managing director. He emphasised that the successful combination of ICT & digital electronics and the entertainment industry are current trends not only in Vietnam but also around the world.

 

The organising board estimated there would be some 250,000 visitors from various local provinces and other countries (around 20 per cent). According to the representative of the organising board, over 7,000 square metres indoors and 1,000 square metres outdoors will be covered by booths, erected by some 300 domestic and foreign companies. Foreign participants included 40 delegations from North America, 27 from Southeast Asia, 25 from Taiwan, 20 from Hong Kong, 20 from China, 15 from Japan, eight from Europe and five from South Korea, while more than 100 local companies also showcased at the event. A total of 400 booths including 88 standard booths, 26 software booths and 286 special purpose booths will showcase exhibits.

 

Many multinational groups and big local companies are regular participants of this event, including Canon, VNPT, Sony, Intel, Fuji Film, Samsung, Toshiba, Asus, Gigabyte, Hitachi, LG and Panasonic. Canon has been a diamond sponsor for four years in a row, while Intel and Sony are platinum sponsors. This year, FPT also sponsors VCW 2007. In addition, many attendants are joining this event for the first time, such as JVC, Vinagame, Asia Soft, AOC and Brother.

 

The digital content industry is the focus of the exhibition, with the presence of big names like Vinagame and Asia Soft attracting head gamers with exciting games. In addition, the VCW will display a wide range of hardware and peripheral devices by Asus, Gigabyte and BenQ. A series of mobile phones and LCD monitors will also be shown at the event by Sony, Samsung, LG and others. The organising board notes that all exhibitors will bring their latest and most advanced products and technologies to the expo.

 

Vietnamese companies account for the largest-ever number of participants, with more than 100 companies, including over 10 giants in assembling Vietnamese brand name computers, like FPT Elead, CMS, T&H, Robo and Khai Tri. The software pavilion attracts many local software companies including Misa, the Computer Science Centre under Ho Chi Minh City University of Natural Sciences, and LotusNet.

 

US$70 million for software industry development: The Prime Minister has issued Decision 51/2007/QD-TTg ratifying total expense of US$70 million for a program developing the software industry until 2010. This source of investment will push average growth in the industry up to 34-40 per cent per year, with annual software and services revenue over US$800 million. In 2006, the Vietnamese software industry reported 30 per cent growth to reach an estimated total turnover of US$300 million, mainly coming from exports to North America, Europe and Japan.

 

VND1,280 billion for digital content industry development: On May 03, 2007, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung signed Decision 56/2007/QD-TT ratifying the programme developing the digital content industry, making this sector an economic backbone. The investment also expects to create opportunities for everyone to approach digital content products and expand social-information and economic knowledge. The VND1,280 billion programme cost will be funded 40 per cent by the central budget, 30 per cent by local state budgets, and 30 per cent by domestic and international businesses.

 

 

The annual growth of telephone (landline and mobile phones) subscription of Vietnam is now the world’s highest (44 per cent growth for landline telephones and 62 per cent growth for mobile phones). The annual internet growth rate was 86 per cent.  IT product exports exceeded US$1.4 billion in 2006, up 49.6 per cent on year.