Nearly 1,500 delegates and financial institutions will attend the Ho Chi Minh City Economic Forum 2024

At the press conference regarding the 5th Ho Chi Minh City Economic Forum (HEF) 2024, Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Hoa, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Business Association, stated that in the context of the world entering the Fourth Industrial Revolution and deepening international integration, Vietnamese businesses are facing significant opportunities and challenges, requiring them to be proactive and positive in their advancements.

Particularly, as consumer demand for green products and services increases both domestically and globally, meeting green standards such as the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) standards has become a prerequisite for exporting goods worldwide and elevating the domestic market.

To achieve this, Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Hoa emphasized that industrial transformation is a solution that businesses must implement. However, during this transition, businesses will also encounter many difficulties and challenges.

According to Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Hoa, HEF 2024 is expected to attract approximately 1,200 - 1,500 delegates, including representatives from central and local ministries, international financial institutions (World Bank, IMF, IFC, ADB...), international organizations like the World Economic Forum (WEF), managers and leaders from domestic and international localities, representatives from diplomatic agencies, consulates, businesses, and experts in economics, technology, industrial transformation, and sustainable development.

The content of HEF 2024 will revolve around the following themes: global trends in industrial transformation; governance ecosystem and policies promoting industrial transformation; Ho Chi Minh City's industrial transformation strategy in the context of regional, area, international connectivity, and new technology trends; the role of the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) in Ho Chi Minh City related to industrial transformation; priorities in industrial transformation strategy; the role of businesses and stakeholders in industrial transformation...

Notably, within the forum's framework, there will be a launch and inauguration ceremony for the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution in Ho Chi Minh City (C4IR), attended by senior WEF leaders and representatives from C4IR centers worldwide. This event is part of the cooperation memorandum between the Vietnamese Government and the World Economic Forum (WEF) for the 2023 - 2026 period.

"C4IR is located in Ho Chi Minh City’s High-Tech Park and is the second C4IR center in Southeast Asia after Malaysia. It joins the global network of Fourth Industrial Revolution centers of the WEF, focusing on research collaboration, policy proposals, resource mobilization, and technology transfer in industrial transformation," said Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Hoa.

Within the forum's framework, there will also be the "Ho Chi Minh City Green Business of 2024" award. The 2nd Green Growth Product and Service Exhibition of Ho Chi Minh City (GRECO 2024) will be open from 9 AM to 10 PM over five days (from September 21 to 25) at Nguyen Hue Walking Street and Le Loi Street. This is an opportunity for domestic and international businesses to exchange and discuss building a green production ecosystem, applying digital technology and digital transformation, aiming to make the city a green and smart urban area.

HEF 2024 will be an occasion to share experiences and receive contributions from financial institutions, corporations, speakers, and reputable experts domestically and internationally in economic and social development fields, key objectives, and programs of the city. This will help elevate the image and reputation of Vietnam in general and Ho Chi Minh City in particular on the international stage.