The Ministry of Science and Technology is finalizing a loan interest rate subsidy scheme for businesses committed to technological innovation. This step is being taken as a strategic effort to accelerate digital transformation and increase industrial productivity within a more comprehensive national policy framework.
During a workshop held in Hanoi, it was proposed that companies engaged in the application, transfer, or innovation of technology be eligible for an interest subsidy of 50% of the total bank loan interest. This assistance is capped at a maximum of 6% per year with a support duration of five years. The policy will be trialed first on 20 selected companies before being implemented broadly.
Minister of Science and Technology Vu Hai Quan emphasized that the state's role in this ecosystem is as the primary facilitator. The government aims to ease the burden of investment costs so that companies can innovate more freely. This approach is based on market principles, where credit decisions remain in the hands of financial institutions, while the government acts as a catalyst to create an economic leverage effect.
Director of the National Technology Innovation Fund (NATIF), Bui Quang Minh, added that priority will be given to projects adopting strategic technologies with high added value. Evaluation criteria include socio-economic effectiveness as well as legal compliance of the applicant companies. The pilot program is scheduled to run until the end of September 2026, after which it will be evaluated to ensure that the aid distribution mechanism operates transparently, accountably, and accurately targeted.
