Business news

MINSK, 21 January (BelTA) – There are plans to implement seventeen science and technology programs in Belarus in 2016-2020, Chairman of the Belarusian State Science and Technology Committee Alexander Shumilin told journalists before a meeting of the science and technology policy committee of the Council of Ministers, BelTA has learned.

“We are working on a development strategy for the next five years, from 2016 till 2020, and a new list of state science and technology programs. The number of programs has decreased from 23 in the previous five years to 17. The new list features some absolutely new programs, such as Smart Information Technologies, Robotic Systems and Aerospace Technologies,” Alexander Shumilin noted.

He said that some Br72 billion will be provided for the implementation of the programs in the next five years. The programs are expected to generate Br72 trillion worth of innovative products. “We expect that half of the sum will be provided by off-budget sources,” Alexander Shumilin added.

He noted that 23 science and technology programs were carried out in Belarus in 2011-2015. “The programs generated around $9.5 billion worth of new products and 2,500 innovative solutions. Almost 300 enterprises were set up or upgraded,” Alexander Shumilin said.