Vietnam moves to develop biotechnology

On November 9, the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) organised a seminar to provide knowledge and implement Resolution No.36-NQ/TW on developing and applying biotechnology to drive the country's sustainable development, supporting the country’s efforts to develop sci-tech for pharmaceuticals.

The event was attended by leaders of the MoST and Thua Thien-Hue province, as well as representatives from the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, relevant agencies, senior experts, and the business community.

Minister of Science and Technology Huynh Thanh Dat giving his speech at the event

Addressing the seminar, Minister of Science and Technology Huynh Thanh Dat said that to make biotechnology a key industry according to the orientation set by the 13^th National Party Congress, the MoST was assigned to develop the draft and submit it to the Politburo to sign and promulgate Resolution No.36- NQ/TW dated January 30.

The resolution defines the goal of focusing on development, striving to make Vietnam a country with a developed biotechnology industry that is on par with any around the world, as well as a smart production and service centre for biotechnology.

It aims to build the biotechnology industry into an important economic and technical sector, positively contributing to the country's GDP.

"After the resolution was issued, the MoST drafted and submitted the action programme to the government to implement it," the Minister said.

"In addition, provinces and cities under the central government have issued their resolutions to carry out the implementation with many specific goals, all of which are tailored to the specific conditions in each locality," he continued.

At the seminar, state management agencies and experts also shared orientations on the research and application of advanced biotechnology for healthcare, the chemical and pharmaceutical industry, and biotechnology.

They also introduced legal documents, operating and management policies, and three research and development frameworks, including KC.12/21-30 on biotechnology, KC.10/21-30 on technology in medicine and healthcare products, and KC.11/21-30 on the chemical and pharmaceutical industry.

The MoST has been focusing and accelerating the implementation of national sci-tech programmes to 2030 in the same three areas.

The minister believes that the seminar was an excellent opportunity for state management units, scientists, experts, and local authorities to discuss applying biotechnology, thus contributing to successfully implementing Resolution No.36-NQ/TW.

He also recommended that the relevant units listen to opinions to effectively organise the three national sci-tech programmes, ensuring there are regular exchanges of results to avoid any overlap in research content.

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