In the context of increased integration, applying advanced technology is the shortest way for Vietnamese enterprises to reduce costs, improve productivity and product quality, and increase competitiveness. How do you see the promise of Industrial Revolution 4.0?

Industry 4.0 is having a strong impact on all countries, governments, businesses and people worldwide, and fundamentally changing the way we live and work. Although VINAPACO receives help from the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) and the government, we also face many great challenges, including fierce competition from imported goods in all product categories, especially the high-end paper segment that we have not yet produced, and the ongoing strong equitization process.

Therefore, we realize that the application of 21^st-century technologies in combination with the digital transformation process will help businesses establish a flexible and highly efficient production and business system, creating new breakthrough developments. This is an inevitable direction, especially since Vietnam wants to become a production center in the region and the world, participate more deeply in the global supply chain, and gradually form and lead supply chains.

How has VINAPACO applied such advanced technologies?

In recent years, VINAPACO has formulated resolutions, action plans to gradually apply technologies, including management software and automatic control software in all of its production and business activities.

The corporation has researched and applied scientific and technological advances to production at all stages, such as planting and managing timber materials in forestry companies; applying new technology to sales, warehouse and material management; human resource management and corporate accounting; replacing and gradually automating equipment on pulp and paper production lines, and processing paper products.

In addition, VINAPACO has been building investment strategies for expansion and comprehensive development, adopting high automation technologies to save raw materials and fuel. VINAPACO current production capacity is approximately 120,000 tonnes per year with its major paper products including printing, writing and copy paper. These products’ quality meets international standards and has been highly appreciated by customers. The production and business process is closed, from the planning of the wood material area to the processing and sales of paper products.

What mechanisms and policies would you recommend to help businesses innovate technology?

Investing in technological innovation and digital transformation is an investment in new values ​​and competitiveness of businesses in the future. We hope that the government and the MoIT will adopt specific support policies relating to the application of 4.0 technology in favor of businesses. We also expect ministries and sectors will pay more interest to Vietnam’s paper industry in general and VINAPACO in particular to support our Industry 4.0 transformation process as well as our sustainable management and development.

Quynh Nga