SOUTH KOREA: Among Top Science, Tech Powerhouses by 2012: Gov't
Korea aims to become the one of the world's top five science and technology powerhouses by 2012, the government said Sunday (Nov. 4). The plan by the Ministry of Science and Technology calls for more allocation of funds for research and development (R&D), the strengthening of knowhow in innovative cutting-edge technologies and concentration of scientific resources on promising growth industries. "About 3.2 percent of the gross domestic product is being used for R&D at present, but Seoul wants to raise the figure to at least 3.5 percent by 2012, with 1 percent of the state's budget set aside to bolster this endeavor," said a ministry official. In 2005, the country spent roughly US$23.59 billion on R&D. The United States spent more that 13 times that amount, with Japan spending 6 times as much. The figure increased to slightly more than $29 billion last year. He said the ranking will be determined by the Switzerland-based International Institute of Management and Development (IMD), whose 2007 competitiveness report placed South Korea seventh among 55 countries in the science area and sixth in terms of technological prowess. The official also said policymakers and experts want to concentrate efforts to build up 40 key strategic technologies along with 60 vital skills that could ensure South Korea's standing in the science and technology field. Among the key technologies, Seoul wants to become a world leader in next-generation high-speed trains, nano-materials, robotics, eco-friendly cars, hydrogen fuel cells and energy storage as well as biotech areas, including stem cell and cancer treatment. The Science Ministry said there will be fine-tuning of objectives as the government receives feedback, and the goal of making the top five will not be easy. In the 2007 IMD report, the United States ranked first in both science and technology areas, with Japan, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden and Taiwan taking second to sixth place in the science ranking. In technology competitiveness, Singapore came in second, followed by Hong Kong, Denmark and Israel.
From http://www.korea.net/ 11/04/2007
Canadian SME International Trade and Marketing - writings upon readings and continued curiousity in the realms of cross cultural business. Some of my opinions are not my own, but I would fancy to say nearly all of them should be credited to the various authors. Deming disciple. I stubbornly persist.
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