Ergun announces research and development package

Science, Industry and Technology Minister Nihat Ergun announced a Research and Development Package aimed at decreasing current deficit and increasing domestic production which was finalized at the 23rd meeting of Supreme Council for Science and Technology, chaired by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday. The package, consisting of eight arrangements and projects, will be put into practice at the beginning of 2012. Stating that the Research and Development and innovation efforts will contribute to    an increase in share of products of highly added value in production and export, as well as a decrease in current deficit in the medium and long term, Ergun said, "The Research and Development expenditures will be increased to 3 percent of the amount of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2023. We also aim to employ 300,000 researchers in public sector and 180,000 in private sector in the same period." As part of package, Research and Development funds will be appropriated and a council will be established within ministries to coordinate R&D activities, entrepreneurs will be provided with three-stage contribution in cash, new units will be established at universities to improve innovation and entrepreneurship, the products which are made through R&D activities in public purchases will be prioritized in amendments to be made in the Public Procurement Law, science centers will be established in 81 provinces, policy instruments aimed at encouraging domestic patent licenses will be developed at universities and entrepreneurship courses will be incorporated into primary schools' curriculum.