Record number of delegates registering to question a minister

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue said that during the question-and-answer session with Minister of Science and Technology Huynh Thanh Dat, a record number of delegates registered to question him, up to 122 delegates. There were 32 delegates participating in the question-and-answer session, including 20 delegates asking questions and 12 delegates participating in the debate. There were 92 delegates registering to question and 3 delegates registering to debate but time ran out. The National Assembly Chairman suggested that delegates send their questions to the minister for written responses according to regulations.

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue delivered a concluding speech answering questions from Minister of Science and Technology Huynh Thanh Dat.

Through the report and opinions at the question and answer session, the National Assembly Chairman assessed that in recent times, with the attention of the Party and State, determination, responsible efforts, the science and technology sector has achieved many important achievements.

The Science and Technology Development Strategy for the 2011-2020 period has been actively implemented, completing 8/11 important goals set out; the Science and Technology Development and Innovation Strategy to 2030 has been issued and implemented. “This is a breakthrough, of great significance, creating a breakthrough in improving productivity, quality, efficiency and competitiveness of the economy,” said the National Assembly Chairman.

The legal corridor for science and technology development is increasingly improved in the direction of taking enterprises as the center, the subject, and the priority object of support for science, technology and innovation activities.

The investment ratio between the State and enterprises in science and technology has improved in a positive direction. Enterprises are increasingly interested in science, technology and innovation activities. The innovative startup ecosystem has begun to form and develop; currently there are more than 3,000 innovative startups in Vietnam.

Scientific research has been promoted; basic science has achieved many achievements; applied science and technology have made remarkable progress. Vietnam's Global Innovation Index in 2022 ranked 48/132 countries and territories; ranked 4th in Southeast Asia.

We have focused on promoting the development of the science and technology market, accelerating the transfer and application of research results into practice, especially in the field of high-tech agriculture. “Our exports have reached 52.3 billion USD in 2022, aiming to export 55 billion USD in the coming time. Vietnam has mastered and successfully applied many technologies and products with high economic value, bringing great efficiency. The proportion of high-tech product exports in the total export value of goods increased from 19% in 2010 to about 50% in 2020,” said the National Assembly Chairman.

View of the questioning session.

No expense spared on science and technology

After pointing out the shortcomings and limitations, the National Assembly Chairman requested the Government, the Minister of Science and Technology, and relevant ministers to fully absorb the opinions of National Assembly deputies, resolutely direct, and implement proposed solutions to overcome the shortcomings and limitations in this field.

According to the National Assembly Chairman, it is necessary to effectively implement the Strategy for Science and Technology Development and Innovation to 2030; synchronously deploy National Science and Technology Programs to 2030. Continue to institutionalize the Party's guidelines and policies and synchronize the State's legal regulations and policies on science and technology development and innovation.

In particular, it is necessary to review, amend, supplement, and remove barriers in the legal system, economic, financial, investment policies, administrative procedures, etc. in a direction consistent with market mechanisms and international practices, respecting the characteristics of creative labor, accepting risks, adventures, and delays in scientific and technological activities and innovation, and removing arbitrary and bureaucratic barriers to scientific, technological, and innovation activities.

Continue to innovate and improve regulations on task assignment, ordering, bidding, especially procedures for payment and settlement of science and technology expenditures. Research and develop specific and outstanding policies so that science, technology and innovation are truly strategic breakthroughs, improving productivity, quality, efficiency and competitiveness of the economy.

Minister Huynh Thanh Dat answers questions before the National Assembly.

Renewing thinking about granting autonomy and self-responsibility to public science and technology organizations to increase responsibility and enhance the organization's proactiveness and creativity.

Pay more attention to establishing industrial property rights, recognizing and registering the circulation of new products and new technologies; announcing new technologies and new products created in Vietnam from the results of scientific research and technological development.

Increase investment from the State budget for science and technology, ensuring 2% or more of State budget expenditure. The National Assembly Chairman said that the issue of preparing expenditure tasks, especially investment projects related to science and technology, is a very important task, both at the central and local levels.

The National Assembly Chairman hopes that every year, the National Assembly will consider and pay attention to the Government's proposal regarding the allocation of science and technology funding for both the central and local levels. "We do not regret this expense, as long as it is spent on the right target and brings about real efficiency and contribution to improving labor productivity and economic efficiency," said the National Assembly Chairman.

Review the necessity, effectiveness, difficulties and inadequacies in investment in high-tech zones. Continue to improve regulations on high-tech zones; continue to research and advise on solutions to promote the development of functional zones.

Early completion of the legal framework for the National Science and Technology Development Fund; including reviewing and proposing amendments to relevant legal regulations (Law on Science and Technology 2013, Law on State Budget 2015, Decree 95/2014/ND-CP...). More effectively resolving difficulties to maximize the release of resources from the Science and Technology Development Fund of enterprises in the spirit of Resolution No. 43/2022/QH15 of the National Assembly, creating conditions for enterprises to promote research, technology development and innovation.

WIN