02:39Russia: Putin to boost scientific research funding to answer 'challenges of tomorrow'
Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Moscow would not economise on "fundamental" scientific research as it could leave the country "lagging behind", speaking at a meeting of the Presidential Council for Science and Education in Moscow, Wednesday.
The Russian leader stated that "despite the difficult situation, it is necessary to maintain the level of expenditure on fundamental science expressed as a percentage of gross domestic product."
Putin emphasised that "saving money here today" would mean that Russia would "certainly be hopelessly lagging behind tomorrow," adding "we cannot allow this to happen."
The leader said that it was necessary to "create a strong technological base to ensure faster growth of the economy and the global competitiveness of domestic companies" which would bring "a new quality of medicine and agriculture and accelerate the development of our territories, including the Arctic and the Russian Far East".
However, Putin went on to note that it was only possible by ensuring "the concentration of budgetary and private resources and in close cooperation between science, government and domestic business." He added that the budget of the Russian Science Foundation will be increased to RUR 17.7bn (€0.26bn) in 2017.
The meeting was attended by a number of Russian ministers and officials including Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov and Finance Minister Anton Siluanov.
02:39Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Moscow would not economise on "fundamental" scientific research as it could leave the country "lagging behind", speaking at a meeting of the Presidential Council for Science and Education in Moscow, Wednesday.
The Russian leader stated that "despite the difficult situation, it is necessary to maintain the level of expenditure on fundamental science expressed as a percentage of gross domestic product."
Putin emphasised that "saving money here today" would mean that Russia would "certainly be hopelessly lagging behind tomorrow," adding "we cannot allow this to happen."
The leader said that it was necessary to "create a strong technological base to ensure faster growth of the economy and the global competitiveness of domestic companies" which would bring "a new quality of medicine and agriculture and accelerate the development of our territories, including the Arctic and the Russian Far East".
However, Putin went on to note that it was only possible by ensuring "the concentration of budgetary and private resources and in close cooperation between science, government and domestic business." He added that the budget of the Russian Science Foundation will be increased to RUR 17.7bn (€0.26bn) in 2017.
The meeting was attended by a number of Russian ministers and officials including Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov and Finance Minister Anton Siluanov.