Vientiane meeting aims to smarten up provincial development

Representatives from development partners and line departments of the Ministry of Science and Technology met last week in the capital to increase understanding about smart province development.
Smart province development is a community strategy centred on systems using science and technology, including environmental conservation, information and communications technology, and infrastructure development.
During the meeting, participants shared their experiences of the concept with an expert from Thailand, Dr Pakpum Sithimakoun.
Deputy Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Chanseng Phimmavong, said the main objective of the meeting was to increase understanding about the smart province concept among ministry officials in the field.
“Smart province is a social system that introduces information and communications technology such as the promotion of environmental conservation and sustainable development,” he said.
The gathering hoped to increase awareness about the importance of human resources, enhancing research and development, and administrative control in agriculture, the environment, urban development, and trade by using digital information technology, he added.
“This is the first time the ministry has wanted to take concrete action to translate the smart province concept into a working plan for the future, although the idea has been a success for several years in many Asean countries,” Dr Chanseng said.
In recent years, the ministry has partnered with regional and international bodies to assist with funding and personnel exchanges in the fields of science, and information and communications technology.
According to the ministry, the government is encouraging the private sector to invest in this area as part of the Science and Technology Development Strategy to 2025 and the Vision to 2030.
This is consistent with the aims of the 8th five-year National Socio-Economic Development Plan which incorporates science, technology and innovation as driving forces to achieve the country’s development goals by 2020.
The ministry’s strategy focuses on developing scientific and technological thought and innovation, the development of human resources, and the building of science and technology centres in rural areas. 

By Phetphoxay Sengpaseuth
(Latest Update August 26, 2019)