News & Events in Belarus

MINSK, 13 December (BelTA) – Belarus’ science development strategy should bring the country to the forefront of the scientific and technological progress, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko noted at the second Congress of Scientists of Belarus on 13 December, BelTA informs.

The congress is expected to consider a draft strategy “Science and technology 2018-2040”. The key document should map out the government policy in promoting the development of this sector and the whole country, Alexander Lukashenko underlined.

“We need to weigh all the pros and cons to come up with a challenging but realistic long-term action plan. It should speed up the innovative development and bring the country to the forefront of the scientific and technological progress. The whole population should engage in the implementation of this document,” the president remarked.

In his opinion, the draft strategy should be reworked after scientists discuss it at sessions and meetings on the sidelines of the congress. “This program should be specific,” he added.

A large group of scientists and experts studied the international practices, formulated new tasks to develop an innovative economy, and outlined priorities in science and technology. The draft document defines the future model of the country – “Intellectual Belarus”. Its key components are: end-to-end digitization of the economy, the formation of an IT country, a well-developed neo-industrial complex that responds to the challenges of the fourth industrial revolution, and also a highly intellectual society.

“Belarus is entering a new stage of development, namely the transition towards a smart economy. It is important for us to keep moving forward relying on our experience and the groundwork we laid in the past years. Achieving the tasks will improve the living conditions in Belarus and bring our economy to a higher level, shaping the new factors of long-term economic growth. We will ensure sustainable well-balanced development by combining effective public administration, the increasing role of science and education, and growing innovative potential,” the head of state highlighted.