Spending on science and technology development is at least 3%

The Government has just issued a resolution promulgating an action program to implement Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW dated December 22, 2024 of the Politburo on breakthroughs in science, technology development, innovation and national digital transformation.

Accordingly, one of the specific targets set for 2030 is to spend at least 3% of the total annual budget expenditure and gradually increase as required for the development of science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation. The unit assigned to preside over monitoring and evaluating this target is the Ministry of Finance .

The program includes 7 specific task groups, along with appendices of indicators and lists of tasks assigned to ministries, branches and localities. Among these, many indicators demonstrate the Government's determination to allocate more of the state budget to science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation. For example, by 2030, spending on research and development (R&D) will reach 2% of GDP. This indicator is assigned to the Ministry of Science and Technology to monitor and evaluate.

With specific tasks, the Government is committed to urgently and resolutely perfecting institutions; eliminating all ideas, concepts, and barriers that are hindering development; and turning institutions into a competitive advantage in developing science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation.

To carry out the above group of tasks, the Government will direct the development and promulgation of regulations on reforming financial mechanisms in performing tasks of science, technology, innovation and digital transformation.

At the same time, simplify as much as possible the records, procedures for management, use and settlement of payments for scientific research, technology development and digital transformation activities, grant autonomy in the use of funds for scientific research and technology development; have an intellectual property protection policy associated with a mechanism for sharing benefits from research and application results.