(VOVworld) - The resolution of the 6^th Plenum of the 11^th Party Central Committee confirms science and technology’s strategic importance in ensuring a sustainable growth for the country. To achieve this target, it is important to increase investment for scientific research. VOV now reports on major solutions to boost scientific and technological development in Vietnam.

The important role of science and technology has been highlighted in several Party resolutions. Accordingly, science and technology is the key and motivation for national socio-economic development. Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Quan said that in addition to 2% allocation from the State budget, it is necessary to mobilize contributions from society and individuals. Quan underlined the importance of coordinated solutions including incentives and sanctions so that enterprises and organizations allocate part of their revenues to scientific and technological development in their own organizations and localities. In addition, it’s necessary to improve the mechanism of funding for scientific and technological research. Minister Quan said: Resolution 20 of the 6^th Plenum of the 11^th Party Central Committee emphasizes the importance of ensuring timely and prompt state funding for science and technology. The Party Central Committee agreed on the need to expand the financial mechanism of the Fund for Scientific and Technological development for implementing scientific and technological tasks. These are the two key factors, because once the funding is available, scientific tasks can be implemented as soon as they are approved. Meanwhile, the funding doesn’t need to be balanced annually but by contract. The remaining funding of the previous year is automatically rolled over to the following year. This mechanism is very favorable for scientists”.

Minister Quan said that the enforcement of the revised Law on Science and Technology will help scientists carry out their work. However, the Minister said that to meet the needs of scientific and technological research and international practices, it is necessary to work out a specific mechanism. He said Vietnam has integrated into the world, so it is important to change its behavior with respect to science.“ I think we need to work out a specific mechanism for science research. After the Party Central Committee issued Resolution No 20, the Government issued Resolution No 36 approving program of action on implementing the Party resolution. Accordingly, relevant ministries and sectors are assigned to revise current laws including the Laws on State Budget, Income Tax and other laws relating to science and technology. We hope that close cooperation between ministries and sectors will result in new mechanisms for science and technology. This requires the reform of leaders’ thinking”, said Quan.

Vietnam is strengthening national industrialization and modernization and has 7 years later to achieve its target of overcoming an industrialized country. To this end, it is crucial to mobilize resources and create an appropriate mechanism to boost science and technology contributing to realizing the Party resolution, which says scientific and technological development is the top national priority and the motivation for national development.