Hannu Kokko, chief consultant of the Vietnam-Finland Innovation Partnership Program

Managers and experts gathered yesterday at a seminar in Hanoi to discuss implementation of the Vietnam-Finland Innovation Partnership Program, IPP. The program was launched in 2009 in eight Vietnamese cities and provinces. The first phase of the project will cost a total of 7 million euros with 89 percent coming from the Finnish Government. After three years, 56 sub-projects out of 61 are underway. Finnish Ambassador Kimmo Lahdevirta said the project has significantly contributed to encouraging innovation initiatives, raising the effectiveness of cooperation between scientists and businesses, and boosting the scientific and technological partnership between the two countries. The ambassador said taking businesses as the central, IPP has paid special attention to enterprises run by female leaders and those focusing on rural areas.