VietNamNet Bridge – The HCMC Department of Science and Technology said more than VND121 billion (US$5.6 million) was disbursed for scientific and technological research projects last year, which was much higher than in previous years.

A machine using bio-fuel to dry rubber latex created by Dr. Nguyen Thanh Quang of the HCMC University of Technology has been applied by many local businesses. The city disburses VND121 billion for scientific and technological research projects last year

The money went to 250 projects, the department’s deputy director Nguyen Khac Thanh told a review conference in the city last week. However, he said the disbursements were still lower than the VND132 billion approved by the city government.

The department spent only VND25 billion out of VND80 billion approved for scientific and technological research projects in 2013 and VND45 billion out of VND83 billion in 2012.

Explaining why the budget for scientific research projects had not been used up, an official of the department said slow approvals affected the disbursement process and many studies of local scientists were turned down as they were not viable.

Moreover, only scientists at universities and research institutes have applied for financial assistance for their studies while enterprises are not keen to use the budget for their technological research and development projects last year.

Although the department did not use up the approved budget for scientific and technological researches last year, the disbursement rate of more than 90% was much higher than that in the years earlier.

The government of HCMC has called for companies, especially State-owned enterprises in the city, to establish technological development funds. Fifteen local firms set up the fund of this kind last year, raising the number of enterprises having such a fund in the city to 80. Around 31 firms of them have set aside a combined VND414 billion for scientific research and development.

SGT