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Minister of Science and Technology Huynh Thanh Dat answers questions on the morning of June 7. Photo: QUANG PHUC |
Opening the question-and-answer session, Minister of Science and Technology Huynh Thanh Dat emphasized that the questions raised by the National Assembly are all fundamental and central issues of the science and technology sector. Therefore, this is a valuable opportunity for the Ministry of Science and Technology to review the implementation of the Party and State's directives in the process of performing its assigned functions and tasks and to explain to the National Assembly the implementation of policies and laws on science and technology in the past time.
The Minister also affirmed that the questioning is an opportunity for the Ministry of Science and Technology to grasp the recommendations, proposals and aspirations of voters nationwide through the questions of National Assembly deputies, to continue to perfect the mechanism, policies and orientations for implementing science, technology and innovation tasks in the coming time, focusing on amending and supplementing laws in the field of science and technology registered in the law and ordinance making program of the 15th National Assembly.
At the same time, it was said that since the beginning of the 15th National Assembly's term, the Ministry of Science and Technology has had the opportunity to explain through reports to the National Assembly's supreme supervisory delegations and the supervisory delegations of the National Assembly's Committees on matters related to the field of science and technology.
Concerned about the underdeveloped science and technology market in Vietnam, although the state management apparatus for science and technology has been strengthened from the central to local levels and many related legal documents have been issued, the Government has also issued the National Science and Technology Market Development Program until 2030, Deputy Tran Thi Hong Thanh (Ninh Binh) asked the Minister to provide solutions.
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Delegate Tran Thi Hong Thanh (Ninh Binh). Photo: QUANG PHUC |
"How to improve the absorption capacity, promote application, innovation in research and technology development of enterprises?", Ms. Tran Thi Hong Thanh questioned.
Minister of Science and Technology Huynh Thanh Dat stated that in recent times, many new advanced technologies have been transferred and applied, bringing about efficiency in the healthcare, telecommunications, and transportation sectors. Some sectors are internationally competitive and deeply involved in the production value chain, with products having competitive advantages.
However, Mr. Huynh Thanh Dat admitted that, besides the achievements, there are still obstacles due to the ineffectiveness of connection activities and accompanying support services. Resources from the budget and enterprises investing in this activity are still modest, and infrastructure is limited.
"In the coming time, the Ministry will propose to the Prime Minister to adjust mechanisms, policies and regulations in accordance with reality, promoting the program of searching, transferring, mastering and developing foreign technology in Vietnam," the Minister pledged. Promoting the establishment and putting into operation centers to support innovative startups is another important solution.
The Minister of Science and Technology said that the Ministry has developed and completed a project to establish a National Center for Supporting Innovative Startups in three cities: Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City. It is expected that in June or early July, decisions to establish these three centers will be issued.
These centers are established with the aim of exploiting local resources for innovation, aiming to apply policy testing models in new areas without regulations to encourage innovation and creativity, as a basis for summarizing experiences, replicating or promptly adjusting policies and models for implementation on a national scale.
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Delegates attending the meeting, morning of June 7. Photo: QUANG PHUC |
Establishment of the Center for Supporting Startups and Innovation in Ho Chi Minh City
Resolution No. 52 of the Politburo has a policy to promote the development of the innovative startup ecosystem, accelerate the establishment of national innovative startup centers, initially in Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City. The Government also has Resolution No. 50 on the implementation of this policy. Delegate Tran Chi Cuong (Da Nang) asked the Minister to explain why the Resolutions of the Politburo and the Government are being implemented so slowly? What is the Minister's responsibility in this matter and what is the Minister's commitment to completing the above important task?
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Delegate Tran Chi Cuong (Da Nang). Photo: QUANG PHUC |
Regarding the issue of the center for supporting startups and innovation, the Minister of Science and Technology said that the ministry has developed and completed the project to establish the National Center for Supporting Startups and Innovation in 3 cities: Hanoi, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City. It is expected that in June or early July 2023, the decisions to establish these 3 centers will be issued.
According to the Minister, these centers are established with the aim of exploiting local resources for innovation, aiming to apply policy testing models in new areas without regulations to encourage innovation and creativity, as a basis for summarizing experiences, replicating or promptly adjusting policies and models for implementation on a national scale.
In addition, regulations on the functions and tasks of the Ministry of Science and Technology have been issued, so the issuance of decisions to establish centers to support innovative startups is a basis for implementation, and these facilities will soon come into operation under the direction of the Prime Minister.
Delegate Le Thanh Van (Ca Mau) asked the Minister to tell us how many research topics using the state budget were put into application last year? How many of them brought about practical results?
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Delegate Le Thanh Van (Ca Mau). Photo: QUANG PHUC |
Responding, the Minister of Science and Technology said that regarding the effectiveness of scientific research topics, in recent years, the Party, State and National Assembly have paid great attention to scientific, technological, innovation and creativity activities, and have balanced capital allocation for the sector. Although scientific and technological activities have many specific characteristics, it is very difficult to calculate specifically how many topics have been put into application.
It is important to determine that the results first serve socio-economic development, while improving the scientific research capacity of scientists and research teams themselves, contributing to the reputation of research institutes and universities.
Minister of Science and Technology takes responsibility for delay in establishing Center for Startups and Innovation
Not satisfied with the Minister's response, delegate Tran Chi Cuong (Da Nang) argued that the Minister had not yet answered about the cause and responsibility of the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Minister in implementing the policy of promoting the development of the innovative startup ecosystem and accelerating the establishment of national startup and innovation centers.
Minister Huynh Thanh Dat took responsibility for the delay in establishing three startup and innovation centers in Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City.
The Minister hopes that delegates and the National Assembly will share their views, as this is a very new issue. There is no precedent for a startup and innovation center in Vietnam. Therefore, it is necessary to take time to carefully study the current context to establish a new unit to ensure compliance with regulations and effectiveness.
The Minister of Information said that in June or early July 2023, the ministry will work with Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City to officially establish the centers. These centers will be under the Ministry of Science and Technology, and will be public service units with complete autonomy.
Tens of thousands of applications for trademark registration and industrial design ownership are pending processing.
Responding to the question of Deputy Dinh Ngoc Quy (Gia Lai) about the backlog of tens of thousands of applications for trademark and industrial design registration that have not been processed, Minister of Science and Technology Huynh Thanh Dat admitted that the demand for processing trademark and patent registration applications is very large, exceeding the processing capacity of the Ministry.
“The Ministry's administrative reform index is always rated low, one reason being that the progress of handling applications does not meet requirements. We are trying to improve this, but both human resources and resources to handle the issue are limited,” Mr. Huynh Thanh Dat explained.
Chairing the meeting, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue asked the Minister to clarify the number of outstanding applications; the direction and time for resolution.
Minister Huynh Thanh Dat stated that as of December 31, 2022, there were over 64,000 trademark applications that had not been processed. The number of patent applications was lower, about 1/3. The Ministry of Science and Technology is focusing on enhancing processing capacity, the most fundamental solution is to increase the application of information technology, digital transformation, and decentralization to localities. I hope that departments and branches will share the burden of this work.
"It is forecasted that it will take at least 2025-2026 to fully process the backlog, I do not dare to be too optimistic," said Minister Huynh Thanh Dat.
National Assembly delegates hold the Minister accountable
Delegate Dinh Ngoc Quy (Gia Lai) said that in recent years, people and businesses have been very upset and complained about the situation of processing and resolving backlog applications for industrial property rights protection, which is very slow and prolonged, especially for applications for trademarks and industrial designs.
This greatly affects the interests of people and businesses, and will even lead to trade disputes. Therefore, the delegate asked the Minister to inform about his responsibility in this matter and the solution to completely resolve this situation.
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Delegate Dinh Ngoc Quy (Gia Lai). Photo: QUANG PHUC |
Regarding the second content, delegate Dinh Ngoc Quy stated that when promulgating the Law on Science and Technology, one of the new regulations is innovation in science and technology finance to mobilize non-state resources for science and technology development.
However, the delegate noted that some regulations have not been issued, such as the allocation of the Science and Technology Development Fund, and regulations on the management and use of funding for science and technology activities have not been issued. Therefore, the delegate requested the Minister to state the reason for this delay as well as the responsibility of the management agencies.
Another question, delegate Tran Thi Thu Hang (Dak Nong) acknowledged that the application of high technology in agricultural production in our country is still modest. The delegate asked the Minister to tell where Vietnam stands compared to other countries, regions and the world in applying scientific and technological achievements, especially high technology in agricultural development, and the tasks and solutions in the coming time. The delegate also suggested forwarding this question to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.
National Assembly Chairman: There will be a regional innovation and startup center
Moderating the question and answer session, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue said that regarding the Center for Innovation and Startup, the general policy is that the Government prioritizes the establishment of the National Center for Innovation and Startup. Currently, there is a policy and a decree has been issued on the functions and tasks of the center, which has been built at Hoa Lac High-Tech Park.
In the coming time, the National Innovation Center will be inaugurated, then deployed in the regions. At the same time, encouraging foreign corporations and enterprises to invest in research and development centers, as well as innovation centers in Vietnam, has initially had good results.
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National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue. Photo: QUANG PHUC |
The National Assembly Chairman cited the example of Samsung Group investing in a very large research and development center in Hanoi, which has enough capacity for 3,000 domestic and foreign scientists to research in fields related to information technology. On that basis, there are conditions to continue implementing regional innovation and startup centers, such as in Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City and other regions.
Minister of Science and Technology: Wanting to attract talent, but struggling
Emphasizing the key factor in innovation is scientific talent, Deputy Nguyen Lan Hieu (Director of Hanoi Medical University Hospital) asked the Minister to share solutions to recruit talent to work. Minister Huynh Thanh Dat said that this was a concern when he came to work at the Ministry of Science and Technology, as well as before when he worked at a university.
"There is a policy, but implementation is very difficult due to regulations, civil servant and public employee laws, and financial regulations," said the Minister.
Recently, the Ministry implemented Resolution 27 on building a team of intellectuals. The Ministry of Science and Technology is developing a project, trying to truly attract domestic and foreign scientists to work and contribute most effectively.
"The Ministry will seek opinions from management agencies, localities and scientists, and hopes that National Assembly delegates will contribute to this project," Mr. Huynh Thanh Dat expressed his receptive spirit.
In addition, answering questions from deputies regarding the allocation, management and use of the State budget for scientific research, Minister Huynh Thanh Dat said that science and technology is a special field, and in many cases it is difficult to quantify research costs accurately like many other fields. Therefore, it is necessary to have an appropriate financial mechanism and sometimes have to accept the cost of risks.
Speaking at the debate, delegate Pham Van Hoa (Dong Thap) said that the Science and Technology Development Support Fund is an important issue, providing much support to businesses. However, the disbursement of this fund is very slow, and the process of scientists receiving funding from the fund to apply research is very difficult. The delegate suggested that the Minister should clarify this issue.
In addition, in addition to the State fund, the number of members of the enterprise fund for science and technology development is also very limited. The delegate asked the Minister to share solutions to this problem in the coming time.
Responding to delegates, Minister Huynh Thanh Dat said that for the Science and Technology Development Fund at enterprises, according to regulations, enterprises allocate funds for this fund. In the period 2015-2021, the total number of enterprises contributing funds was 1,281, accounting for 0.14% of the total number of enterprises nationwide, with disbursement reaching only 60%. Fund allocation is mainly implemented in large enterprises, while the method of establishing and using the fund is still difficult, so not many enterprises allocate funds.
Although the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Science and Technology have issued circulars, they have not yet attracted more businesses to set up funds. The Minister proposed that the National Assembly have more effective policies, including allowing businesses to use the fund to purchase equipment and machinery for production and business purposes. Only then will tax exemptions and reductions attract businesses.
Responding to delegates about the need to bring irradiated fabrics in Bac Giang to Ho Chi Minh City and Long An for irradiation, the Minister said that the Ministry of Science and Technology has coordinated with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Industry and Trade to negotiate with the US side and has initially achieved initial results and can conduct irradiation in the Northern region, contributing to reducing costs.
* Before the question and answer session , the Minister of Science and Technology sent a report to the National Assembly explaining a number of social issues that the delegates were interested in.
Accordingly, in addition to the achieved results, Minister Huynh Thanh Dat said that the mindset of not accepting risks and delays in scientific research is still common, creating a "gap" between the law on finance and investment and the law on science and technology, creating bottlenecks in bringing research results into production and business.
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Minister of Science and Technology Huynh Thanh Dat. Photo: QUANG PHUC |
Specifically, problems related to the assignment of rights to use or ownership of assets formed from scientific and technological tasks using the State budget; the establishment of enterprises originating from research of public service units; and the contribution of capital and organization of activities of enterprises originating from technology (spin-off) from research institutes and universities.
Some legal documents are slow to be issued, or have not been issued, and do not reflect the characteristics of science and technology activities. The science and technology market is still developing slowly, there are few reputable and experienced intermediary organizations in connecting supply and demand. Many inventions and innovations have not been encouraged, nurtured and developed to become final products and commercialized...
Notably, the financial management mechanism, financial norms, and procedures for allocating science and technology funding are still inadequate; disbursement is slow and the disbursement rate of state budget capital for science and technology has not reached 100%, meaning that the allocated money has not been spent.
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