MINSK, 26 January (BelTA) – The share of money spent on science in Belarus' GDP will go up by 400% by 2030. Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus Vladimir Semashko made the statement during the national assembly of the scientific community on 26 January, BelTA has learned.
According to the source, spending on science totaled 0.52% of the GDP in 2017. “It is very little. The matter was discussed during a government conference held by the president and during the second congress of scientists. The draft strategy on science development for the period till 2040 specifies that the share of money spent on science will grow up to 2.5% of the GDP by 2030. We will reach 1% by 2020 and will move on towards 2.5% from then on,” said Vladimir Semashko.
Respectively, the government expects Belarusian scientists to produce more results, noted the official. Vladimir Semashko pointed out that materials used to account for 50% of the cost of a product in the past while know-how represented another 50%. In the early 21st century materials accounted for only 25% of the cost of a product. The figure is expected to go down to 7-8% by 2050. Vladimir Semashko remarked that Belarus has no large deposits of oil or natural gas or other raw materials, this is why the development of science, high technologies should be prioritized as well as the development of the fifth and sixth technological phases in order to make money.
Vladimir Semashko reminded about the success of the Hi-Tech Park, which earned more foreign currency in 2017 than BelAZ, MAZ or MTZ individually. “It is extremely important that young Belarusians stay to work there. The ordinance signed in late 2017 expands the types of activities Hi-Tech Park residents are allowed to pursue. Now the choice includes biotechnologies, space, microelectronics, and so on. Besides, the preferences will stay in effect till 2049. I think the park will produce an even larger effect,” concluded the deputy prime minister.
Vladimir Semashko also bestowed government awards upon outstanding Belarusian scientists.
A national assembly of the scientific community took place in Minsk on 26 January on the occasion of Belarusian Science Day. An exhibition of Belarusian R&D and scientific accomplishments was arranged in honor of the day. The exhibition featured products created by organizations of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, the Education Ministry, the Emergencies Ministry, the Industry Ministry, the Belarusian state petrochemical concern Belneftekhim, the Communications and Informatization Ministry, the Agriculture and Food Ministry, the State Standardization Committee, the State Military Industrial Committee of Belarus, and other agencies.
