The Hanoitimes - Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has asked the National Council for Science and Technology (NCST) to encourage businesses to apply new science and technologies during a plenary session in Hanoi.

The PM delivered the speech with the expectation that the NCST would implement their new policies over the 2012-2016 period.

Dung said that o­ne of the council’s immediate tasks is to perfect policies, making it easier for businesses to apply sci-tech advances in order to improve their productivity and competitive capacity.

At the session, the council’s members proposed policies to create favourable conditions for the further development of science and technology, such as offering preferential access to research funding, fast tracking experienced scientists through administrative formalities, and providing training to workers in the science and technology industry.

The PM asked NCST members and managers to work out practical solutions to rapidly progress the sector to contribute to the country’s overall development.

He also asked the council to focus o­n assessment of science and technology policies, especially their impact o­n the country’s key products and businesses operating in the field.

He stressed that developing human resources in science and technology is a key factor in the country’s process of modernisation and the development of intellectual property.

He recommended that the council examine incentive schemes for scientists, especially for endeavours in social affairs such as agricultural production.

He then directed the NCST to devise a mechanism to promote issues in science and technology, as well as to identify and train budding intellectuals to reach their full potential.