“It is a national consensus that science and technology are vital to the country’s development”. With that statement, the minister of Science and Technology, Sérgio Rezende, opened, on Thursday (17), his presentation of the 2007/2010 Plan on Science, Technology and Innovation.
During his speech - made to senators of the Committee on Science, Technology, Innovation, Communication and Informatics (CCT) – the minister explained some of the strategic goals to the period; among them are the expansion of the national system of Science, Technology and Information; promoting innovative technology in companies; developing strategic areas and redirecting scientific and technological innovation to social development.
Sérgio Rezende highlighted that the federal government is aware that, to achieve good results and put the country at the forefront of science and technology, it is necessary to invest in human resources and in all areas of knowledge, “specially technology”, said Rezende.
According to the minister, Brazil has developed, along the last decades, a “solid” system of science and technology, achieving good results in human resources and scientific production. However, he pointed out that the economic implications of this system are still very limited.
- To a large extent, this is due to a lack of innovative culture in the entrepreneurial area, as well as inadequate public programs.
Many senators asked for more investments in the area. Arthur Virgílio (PSDB-AM) said that, due to Brazil’s lack of incentives, scientists from abroad are developing projects using Brazilian natural resources, as in the Amazon.
- The whole world understands Amazon importance, except Brazil – criticized Virgilio.
Ideli Salvatti (PT-SC) observed that, if there is no investment in science and technology, Brazil will lose market to other nations.
Eduardo Azeredo (PSDB-MG) said that it is “undeniable” that Brazil is making advances in science and technology, ‘but not in the same pace as the rest of the world’. Renato Casagrande (PSB-ES), author of the request of the public hearing, manifested the same opinion.