RIYADH, 10 July — The national policy for science and technology, which was endorsed by the Council of Ministers at its meeting here on Monday, seeks to exploit the Kingdom’s scientific and technological potentials through proper investment of resources.
In a joint statement issued by King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) and the Ministry of Planning, which together presented the national policy for Cabinet endorsement, said that it would provide the Kingdom with quick benefits from the opportunities thrown up by the emerging global economy.
"Consequently, Saudi products will be able to compete successfully in the international market place," the statement added.
It pointed out that the policy seeks to create an atmosphere conducive to acquiring foreign technology and developing indigenous technology especially in vital and strategic areas such as water desalination, petrochemical industries as well as defense and national security.
Preparations for the national policy for science and technology started in mid-1997 and they went through three phases. The first phase dealt with evaluation of the existing situation of science and technology in various development sectors to visualize the future of science and technology in the Kingdom in the next two decades in priority sectors such as water, energy resources, electronics, telecommunications, information technology, agriculture, food, petrochemicals, space, transportation, environment, health, construction, education, administration and scientific and technical cooperation. The next two phases dealt with formulation of the parameters of the policy.
A total of 220 officials, experts and national specialists and 35 government bodies took part in the three phases.
The fourth and last phase, which is starting immediately, will focus on evolving detailed strategies of the policy. This phase will deal with various mechanisms and programs necessary to execute the policy.
The national policy seeks to set a timetable to gradually increase funding for research and development to reach 1.6 percent of the GDP by 2020.
The joint statement called for incentives to encourage the private sector to invest in science and technology as well as to foster innovation. It also wanted the private sector and government institutions to allocate a fixed percentage of their budget to finance research, training and development.
The statement said the new policy was aimed at protecting national security, achieving balanced and total development and improving the standard of living of Saudi citizens.
The policy has set out 10 major goals that go hand in hand with the country’s development plans.
The goals include the preparation of the work force in science and technology, promotion of scientific research to strengthen security and ensure continuous development, and regular upgrading of regulations related to science and technology.
The statement emphasized the need for encouraging the private sector to play a leading role in the management of scientific and technological activities.
"The Arabic language will be used in the process of developing science and technology and promoting inventions," the statement added.
The new policy intends to increase educational institutions’ capacity for science and technology, establish first-class institutes, develop higher education programs and encourage establishment of specialized training centers.
