Intel to help make 'digital Vietnam'

Intel to help make 'digital Vietnam'

HANOI: The world's largest chipmaker Intel signed on Wednesday
an agreement with the Vietnamese government to improve
accessibility of information technologies throughout the country,
the company's CEO said.

Intel president Paul Otellini said the foundation would aim to
boost communication infrastructure across ministries, government,
provinces and various organizations.

The company also wants to help Vietnam develop a robust local
IT industry and increase computerization in schools.

Otellini denied revealing how much the company would spend on
the program.

Vietnam is a "wakening dragon", he said during a press
conference in Hanoi.

"Its economic success will depend on how quickly PC's and
affordable broadband connectivity are made available and how
widely e-government, digital health care, an IT-literate
workforce, local industry and digital province initiative can be
developed."

The American giant announced on Tuesday it would invest US$400
million to set up a chip testing and assembly plant in India. "We
have no current plans" to build a plant in Vietnam, Otellini
said.

Although he said the agreement includes no commercial
intentions, Otellini added the company was already enjoying
growing sales in Vietnam.

"Vietnam is the fasted growing PC market" among the 10 members
of the Association of South-East Asian Nations, Otellini said.
"That provides a very good opportunity in itself." -- AFP