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