Golovchenko: science should work for specific tasks and economic needs

Science should work for specific tasks and needs of the economy – as stated by Belarus’ Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko after visiting the Minsk City Technopark today

According to the MP, the money invested by the state in development and sci-tech activities gives its return, “We generate around Br15 of innovative products per each Rouble of invested funds. The payoff is serious. The direct effect on the budget makes 1/5 of each Rouble of the products sold; we get it in the form of VAT.”

Mr. Golovchenko emphasised that Belarus’ sci-tech policy is based on the principles of demand for the predicted results, “We have been using approaches for several years, according to which any development that is financed from budget funds should have a customer – so as not to get into a situation when the development is done, but no one wants to implement it, or it is too expensive. I cannot say that this system is working perfectly well, but there is progress. In fact, we are observing a final turn towards a complete link between science and production.”

At the same time, according to the PM, the main task now is to further increase the efficiency of invested funds. “Our task is to make all our science work for specific tasks and needs of the economy. If it is not in demand in the domestic real sector of the economy, it should be covered in saleable package. There is still something to work on and improve the efficiency of scientific and technical activities. Now we evaluate it satisfactorily,” he added.

Speaking of the equipment of technoparks, Mr. Golovchenko said that the state allocates enormous funds for these purposes, “The state programme of innovative development for 2021-2025 provides Br167.8m of budget funds for the implementation of measures to develop the material and technical base of technoparks, including the purchase of equipment necessary for their residents to organise innovative productions.”