Hanoi (VNA) –The National Conference on Sustainable Development 2018 opened in Hanoi on July 5, focusing on measures to promote public-private partnership and improveproductivity and competitiveness towards sustainable growth in the digital era.

Themed “EnhancingCompetitiveness, Realising Sustainable Development Goals Amidst IndustrialRevolution 4.0,” the event drew more than 650 delegates representing Governmentagencies, think tanks, international organisations, business associations andenterprises.

Opening the event, Presidentof the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) Vu Tien Loc showed hisstrong belief that Vietnam will continue to thrive and become an upper-middle-incomecountry within the next two decades with impressive achievements in social equityand fairness, and effective State management.

Towards the goal, Loc stressedthe need for consensus and efforts of the entire society as well as support andcooperation of international organisations.

Ousmane Dione, WorldBank’s Country Director in Vietnam highlighted major factors that may re-shapethe Vietnamese economy in the future, including the transforming of trademodels, the rise of the brainpower-based economy, climate change and populationaging.

Dione introducedimportant findings in the WB’s report on Vietnam’s future employment, includingthe significance of efficient exploitation of these factors, otherwise theemployment future will not be ensured.

He held that in orderto reach sustainable growth goals, Vietnam should optimise the efficiency ofresources such as institutions, human resources, while grasping major trends toensure the employment structure operate smoothly and efficiently.

Within the frameworkof the conference, the VCCI and the Ministry of Planning and Investmentintroduced the high-level forum on partnering for green growth and the globalgoals 2030 (national P4G forum).

The form aims to bolsterthe public-private partnership to contribute to the implementation of theSustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 through the realisation of greengrowth.

In the morningsession, participants of the conference discussed four issues - the building ofthe circular economy, the future of works and the role of the private sector amidstthe Industrial revolution 4.0, the making of sustainable growth report and theCorporate Sustainability Index, and the promotion of renovation to enhanceproductivity and competitiveness.

In the afternoon, leadersof the Government, ministries and sectors will present ideas to better thebusiness environment, enhance competitiveness, promote creative renovation andbuild smart cities.

Businesses will also proposeinitiatives to help increase competitiveness and support enterprises to accessand develop technology, take advantage of opportunities from the IndustrialRevolution 4.0 and ensure jobs for employees in the future.-VNA