He made the request at the first plenary session of the 2012-2016 tenure of the National Council for Science–Technology Policy in Hanoi on November 22.

The council firstly needs to focus on researching mechanisms and policies for science–technology activities and also building those that offer incentives to scientists, Dung said.

He praised the Council for working out institutional tools to bring science and technology to life and spur socio-economic development.

In its 2009-2013 tenure, the Council held five fact-finding trips to 15 cities and provinces nationwide to learn about their science-technology activities and policy impacts on their socio-economic development.

Apart from that, the Council has hosted talks and seminars with domestic and foreign scientists as well as with businesspeople to garner their opinions and comments.

From now until 2016, it will join in commenting amendments and supplements to the Law on Science and Technology, the Law on Technology Transfer and the Law on Atomic Energy and also give opinions on projects under the Government and the Ministry of Science and Technology’s working programmes.

It will work closely with the Ministry of Science and Technology and relevant agencies to study policy impacts on science and technology activities, and policies to develop a contingent of personnel and attract more investors in the field.

Renewing mechanisms and policies on science and technology development helps turn science and technology into a direct production force and a key driving force for the country’s higher growth in the new period, said the PM.