The Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) on July 5 organised a regular press conference in Hanoi to clarify major issues in the first six months and highlight important events in the second half of this year.

Finding the reason of mass fish death is one of key science-technology issues in the first half this year.

As to the mass fish deaths in four provinces in the central region, MoST Deputy Minister Pham Cong Tac emphasised that the ministry invited more than 100 scientists to assist the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in finding the reasons for the incident, which were announced at the Government’s press conference on June 30.

Concerning technology Formosa used in its steel plant in Ha Tinh province, Do Hoai Nam, head of the ministry’s Department of Technology Appraisal, Examination and Assessment, said the ministry only considered a feasibility study submitted by the provincial People’s Committee in 2008.

He affirmed that the Ministry of Industry and Trade was responsible for verifying all technologies registered by Formosa as well as its technology change in the plant.

According to Tac, in the second quarter of this year, the MoST submitted to the Government for approval a project on assisting the national startups and innovation ecosystem until 2025, and the establishment of a State-level Council for the Ho Chi Minh Prize and the State Prize on Science and Technology, as well as adjustments to the master plan to the Hoa Lac Hi-tech Park until 2030.

In addition to building mechanisms, policies and laws on science and technology, the ministry organised a range of events, conferences and seminars such as a month in response to the World Intellectual Property Day and a ceremony to review the State-level key science and technology programmes, among others.

In the coming time, the MoST will continue perfecting mechanism, policies and laws in the field while organising the 12 th Meet Vietnam programme and a ceremony to grant the Ho Chi Minh Prize and the State Prize on Science and Technology.

VNA