“To meet development demand, it is necessary for all businesses to renew technology. Technological renovation demand increase will promote science and technology (sci-tech) development," said Doctor Ho Ngoc Luat, the head of the Committee for Local Science and Technology under the Ministry of Science and Technology. He spoke more about this issue with Vietnam Economic News' Quynh Nga.
Sci-tech development levels vary among different regions of the country. How do you assess this?
In 13 provinces of the southwest region, sci-tech has been applied to the reality on a large scale. In the southeast region, sci-tech has made a large contribution to agricultural development. Following those regions are provinces in the Red River such as Hai Phong, Hai Duong, Bac Ninh, the north central region and the central coastal area.
It is obvious that the region which has a developed economy will see a rapid growth rate of sci-tech. In a strong economy with a healthy competitive environment, it is necessary for all businesses to renew technology. Technological renovation demand increase will promote sci-tech development. It is a dialectical relationship between economy and sci-tech. All countries want to promote sci-tech to strengthen the economy. A strong economy will create favorable conditions for sci-tech to develop.
At present, many localities are facing a big difficulty in mobilizing financial investment in sci-tech activities. What do you think about this issue?
Capital for sci-tech activities comes from many resources with the state budget being the major resource. Up to now, apart from capital sourced from the state budget, all provinces and cities have had many challenges in attracting capitals from other resources to invest in sci-tech activities. In reality, all localities have to wait for capital from the state budget. Meanwhile, there are few businesses taking part in these activities.
Furthermore, many provinces and cities have not spent all capital for sci-tech activities (the capital for sci-tech is equal to two percent of budget expenditures). Most of them have used just one percent of the budget to invest in sci-tech. Even some provinces use just 0.2 percent, 10 times less than the government's regulations. Since 2000, the government has kept using two percent of the state budget for sci-tech, 40-45 percent of which will be invested in sci-tech development. However, most of localities have not used this money for right purposes. Each year, 1,300-1,500 sci-tech research projects are implemented, but just 15 percent of which have been applied to the reality.
At present, there are three hi-tech parks in the country including Hoa Lac, Sai Gon and Da Nang. However, up to now, we have just obtained results in terms of infrastructure construction rather than enhancing efficiency of those hi-tech parks, supporting businesses and promoting economic development. What do you think about this?
Resolution set at the eighth session of the second Central Communist Party Congress in 1996 has clearly pointed out the government's wish to promote hi-tech. The Party and government are aware of the importance of hi-tech development. Thus, a number of hi-tech parks have been built. The development of hi-tech parks also reflects an attraction of a strong economy.
However, it is obvious that we are facing many difficulties in attracting investment in hi-tech parks. To compete against hi-tech parks in other countries, our economy should have a new thing compared to other countries. In other words, our economy must be strong enough and have a healthy competitive environment to attract businesses. The government has had policies to promote sci-tech development and create a healthy competitive environment. However, in the reality, those policies have not promoted their efficiency, therefore, attracting a small number of businesses to invest in hi-tech parks.
Sci-tech plays an important role in economic development. However, scientists have very low income. What special treatments should the government give to scientists?
We have not had deserving treatment policies for scientists' contribution. I hope that the law on intellectual property will help us solve this problem. When a scientist has an invention which is highly appreciated, he must be benefited from this product. People who use this product must pay for the inventor. The law on intellectual property has taken effect. The relationship among the government, scientists and businesses will be improved and benefits from sci-tech activities will be fairly distributed. In addition, when sci-tech organizations adopt autonomy according to decree 115, they are allowed to supply sci-tech services and enjoy profits from those services. Hence, salary for scientists can be raised many times, creating favorable for them to devote for sci-tech activities. However, in the reality, those policies have still not promoted its effectiveness. Different departments at different levels should work together to overcome difficulties, creating favorable conditions for sci-tech activities./.
