MOSTI TO ALLOCATE US$65.4 MLN FOR R&D FOR TWO-YEAR PERIOD

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 17 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Science, Technology and
Innovation (MOSTI) will allocate RM200 million (US$65.4 Million) for research
and development (R&D) for a two-year period starting this year.

Its minister, Maximus Johnity Ongkili, said under the Ninth Malaysia Plan
(2006-2010) (9MP), about RM2.9 billion had been used for R&D. (US$1=RM3.05)

"Currently, we will allocate RM200 million for R&D activities until 2012.

"We hope that we will be able to get the equivalent allocation under 9MP which
we will use during the last three years of the 10MP," he told a media briefing
after launching the ministry's Innovation Day at the National Science Centre
here Monday.

Ongkili said this when asked on MOSTI's allocation during the first year of the
implementation of the 10MP this year.

He said the ministry was finalising the allocation for this year.

Earlier, Ongkili said through the expansion of R&D in science, technology and
innovation (STI) under the 9MP, the ministry has managed to establish 192
start-up companies involved in various STI sectors and prepare 18 new technology
incubators.

"About 108 research findings have been transferred to entrepreneurs, besides
recording 1,798 intellectual properties and 13,259 publications," he said.

On the drafting of the third Science and Technology Policy, he said the process
has started.

"The policy is important because it serve as a comprehensive guide on the
nation's direction in this area in the long run.

"We will get it ready in six months and will present it to the cabinet," he said.
-- BERNAMA