Minister of MOST- Mr. Nguyen Quan and Mr. Kimmo Lahdevirta- Ambassador of Finland in Vietnam signed the agreement of IPP phase II on behalf of two countries.

The program will be implemented for 4 years (2014-2018) with MOST play the role of managing agency. 9.9 million euro is non-refundable from Finland and 1.1 million euro is counterpart funds from Vietnam.

IPP phase II has main objectives including: support to complete the important legal document for bringing S&T law and strategies to reality and life; strengthen the innovation training through complete the innovation curriculum and organize the intensive training course for the S&T managers, enterprises and research institutes; Support, develop the regional innovation product; Formed the experts team of innovation consulting (for supporting the enterprises); Formed the Innovation partnership program Vietnam-Finland through supporting the scientists and the enterprises of both countries to build up the collaborative contents; Research and organize the experimental Award of Innovation.

IPP phase I (2009-2014) with 7.19 funding (89% is non-refundable from Finland) has achieved good results; this program is appreciated and considered one of the major projects of Finland to support Vietnam.

IPP phase II will efforts with MOST to keep innovating and create the breakthroughs in S&T field; mount the scientist, enterprises to create products with added value, high scientific content so that S&T actually become the driving force for the socioeconomic development.

Hoang Nam