Government to set aside 3% budget for sci-tech development: Party Chief

Party General Secretary To Lam, speaking at a national conference on January 13, urged the government to allocate at least 3% of the budget to science and technology development and to increase spending on this area to 2% of GDP over the next five years.

The Party leader said that science and technology are critical to economic growth, and said these areas, along with innovation and digital transformation, are top priorities to achieve industrialization by 2030 and the country's high-income status by 2045.

General Secretary To Lam speaks at the conference. Photos: VGP

In this context, he added, the newly approved Resolution 57 outlines strategic directions for science and technology, aiming to position Vietnam among the top three countries in Southeast Asia and within the top 50 globally for digital competitiveness and e-government development by 2030.

The General Secretary said that this resolution does not replace previous policies but serves as a framework to foster scientific thinking and drive action. He underscored the need to remove barriers and harness potential to spark breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation, thereby laying a solid foundation for national development in the new era.

Lam called for a long-term commitment to investing in science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation, while highlighting the risks associated with delaying implementation.

To achieve these objectives, he outlined eight key tasks and solutions, stressing the importance of a unified understanding that the development of science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation is a strategic priority for the Party, the people, and the military.

"It is needed to finalize institutions and policies that would remove barriers to scientific and technological progress and maximize creativity," said Lam.

The Party chief called for an urgent restructuring of the science and technology sector, with a target to complete the reorganization of institutions by the first quarter of 2025. He stressed the importance of building strong research organizations and developing high-quality human resources, particularly in science and technology.

Lam also suggested reviewing and eliminating outdated business conditions under Resolution 57 and piloting the appointment of experts, particularly from the overseas Vietnamese community, to leadership positions in research institutes and universities.

The Party and State leaders attend the conference.

The Party chief advocated the prioritization of budget allocation for science and technology as a breakthrough national policy, the promotion of research and development, and the establishment of innovation funds, venture capital and angel investment funds. The government must explore a "public investment - private management" model to empower scientists in research and technology application, he said.

In 2025, the first year of implementation of Resolution 57, the government should reform budget planning for national science and technology development.

He urged the rapid development of high-quality human resources and the establishment of mechanisms to attract talent, especially in science and technology, including overseas Vietnamese and international experts, with attractive policies on citizenship, income, housing and work environment.

Procedures must be streamlined and internationally competitive. The government should establish a network of domestic and foreign experts, regularly report results to the Central Steering Committee, and honor talents to inspire patriotism and dedication among scientists.

The state needs to increase investment in digital infrastructure and prepare energy infrastructure for the next 5-10 years, focusing on clean energy to ensure sufficient supply for development.

The Party chief emphasized strengthening cooperation and utilizing international knowledge and technology transfer with advanced countries, especially in artificial intelligence, biotechnology, semiconductors and renewable energy.

Connected to more than 15,300 venues nationwide and attended by nearly 980,000 delegates, the conference reviewed the implementation of the Party's resolutions on science and technology and discussed Resolution No. 57 on the breakthrough development of science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation. 

At the event, the establishment of the Central Steering Committee for the Development of Science, Technology, Innovation and National Digital Transformation was announced.

On the sidelines, General Secretary To Lam and other delegates explored demonstrations of innovative digital technologies developed by Vietnamese businesses that are widely applied in various sectors.

General Secretary To Lam and other delegates visit booths displaying digital technologies.