1 February 2011
Innovation and investment bank might be set up in Belarus
MINSK, 1 February (BelTA) – The State Committee for Science and Technology initiates the establishment of an innovation and investment bank in Belarus, Chairman of the committee Igor Voitov said at the session of the Presidium of the Council of Ministers of Belarus which discussed Belarus’ innovation development program for 2011-2015 on 1 February, BelTA has learnt. “The State Committee for Science and Technology initiates the establishment of a national technology development fund to support small and medium-sized enterprises and an innovation and investment bank,” Igor Voitov said. Belarus’ innovation development program for 2011-2015 envisages the further development of the national innovation system. The innovation laws will be improved. The following laws are to be adopted: “On state innovation policy”, “On copyright and associated rights”, “On venture companies”, “On better protection and use of intellectual property objects”. Besides, the reforms will be introduced in tax legislation, protection and transfer of intellectual property rights and commercial use of intellectual property objects. New approaches will be applied to the development of innovation and information infrastructure. The State Committee for Science and Technology is to draft government resolutions on technological forecast, innovation information, technological audit, just to name a few. The innovative activities will be further encouraged. The committee suggests exempting high-tech and innovation productions from some taxes. According to Igor Voitov, the development of innovation infrastructure is also on the agenda. The state innovation program provides for setting up big high-tech parks, including the optics and electronics research center, Polesie high-tech park and Biograd pharmaceutical park. The establishment of holding companies that include research centers is also under consideration. New research centers will be set up in metalworking, production of car parts and household appliances.БЕЛТА