Vietnam joins APEC economies to accelerate digital transformation for MSMEs

The two-day event themed “Empowering MSMEs through digital transformation in the AI-driven World”, co-organized by the APEC 2027 National Secretariat under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Agency for Enterprise Development under the Ministry of Finance, is a Vietnamese initiative within the APEC Working Group on Small and Medium Enterprises. It aims to augment regional digital cooperation and innovation while laying the groundwork for APEC Vietnam 2027.

The workshop gathered nearly 150 delegates from APEC member economies, the International APEC Secretariat, international organizations such as the World Bank, the IMF, the OECD, the ADB, and UN Women, major tech corporations like Google, Meta, Toshiba, and CMC, as well as research institutes and the private sector.

Delivering the opening remarks,  Deputy Foreign Minister and Head of the APEC 2027 National Secretariat Nguyen Minh Vu noted that MSMEs form the backbone of growth, innovation, and job creation, accounting for over 97% of businesses across the APEC region. As AI and digital technologies reshape the global economy, enhancing digital capacity for MSMEs is essential not only for adaptation but also for unlocking new drivers of productivity, efficiency, and competitiveness in the AI era.

Vu affirmed that for Vietnam, empowering the private sector and strengthening MSME competitiveness are strategic priorities in its new development phase, helping realize growth goals based on science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation. He expressed Vietnam's readiness to work closely with APEC economies on technology transfer, experience sharing, digital workforce development, and ecosystem building.

As the host of APEC 2027, Vu stated that Vietnam will continue collaborating with member economies to advance practical cooperation initiatives, creating fresh impetus for productivity growth, competitiveness, and regional economic resilience.

Trinh Thi Huong, Deputy Director of the Agency for Enterprise Development, suggested that digital transformation and AI adoption must align with the practical needs of MSMEs to spark meaningful changes in productivity, governance efficiency, and market access.

Pooling resources from international organizations and strengthening ties among APEC economies will help build a comprehensive support ecosystem for sustainable MSME growth.

Ichwan Nasution, Chair of the APEC Digital Economy Steering Group, outlined upcoming APEC priorities, including promoting digital and AI applications, enhancing digital connectivity, bridging the digital divide, and securing safe digital environments for MSMEs. He expressed confidence that policy recommendations from the workshop will shape APEC's digital economy agenda and support Vietnam's preparations for APEC 2027.

The event focuses on analyzing new trends in AI and digital transformation that are reshaping business models, supply chains, and labor markets.

Participants will share solutions and AI application models to help MSMEs join global value chains, discuss policies to build digital skills, expand access to finance and digital infrastructure, and secure ecosystems for responsible AI use.

The workshop's recommendations will be submitted to the APEC Working Group on Small and Medium Enterprises, feeding into the agenda of APEC Vietnam 2027 and highlighting Vietnam's active and responsible role in advancing regional economic cooperation.

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