ROC President Ma Ying-jeou launched the Ministry of Science and Technology March 3 in Taipei City, reaffirming government efforts to boost Taiwan’s technological development and global competitiveness.
“As a key component in the government’s golden decade blueprint, the new ministry is set to play an important role in sustaining Taiwan’s future growth through technological innovation.” Ma said. “It also underscores the importance attached by the government to technological innovation and scientific research.”
The MOST, previously the National Science Council, is headed by former Minister without Portfolio Chang San-cheng. The agency was upgraded to ministry status as part of the ongoing process of central government streamlining.
Citing recent global competitiveness reports released by the International Institute for Management Development and World Economic Forum, the president said Taiwan is among the top performers in terms of innovation as well as scientific and technological infrastructure.
Since his administration took office in May 2008, Ma said government funding of NT$637.8 billion (US$20.95 billion) has been dedicated to implementing high-tech policies, with growth in related budgets reaching 8.9 percent.
An indicator of this accomplishment is that total public- and private-sector R&D expenses as a percentage of gross domestic product topped 3 percent for the first time in 2011, and grew to 3.06 percent the following later.
“While this represents a marked improvement, the number is still lower than that of South Korea,” Ma said, adding that a greater percentage of such activity should be directed toward basic research.
The president expects the MOST to better coordinate state resources and work closely with other agencies in promoting basic research and recruiting talent.
Ma also thanked outgoing NSC Minister Cyrus C. Y. Chu for working to put in place a number of key policies, including competitive salaries for outstanding talent, international medical care services and intellectual property rights strategies. (SFC-JSM)
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