Sci Tech Policy

8/11/2019 Sci Tech Policy

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A NATIONAL POLICY ON SCIENCE,TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION

FOR TRINIDAD & TOBAGO

Into a New Era of Industrial Competitivenessand Human Development

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-2000-


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A NATIONAL POLICY ON SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY ANDINNOVATION FOR TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

- Into a New Era of Industrial Competitiveness and Human Development -

VVIISSIIOONN--22002200

Trinidad and Tobago will use science, research and development,technology, quality, innovation and entrpreneurship as the fundamentalingredients to enhance its competitiveness and advance itself into thegrouping of industrialised countries by the year 2020. The technological

strategy to be followed will create new wealth through the balanced andsustainable development of all its key sectors in order to ensure prosperity,the alleviation of poverty and unemployment and the improvement in ourphysical, social and cultural well being. Through training and re-training,this policy will empower citizens to be productive, to think, to be creative,and to have the courage, support and resources to develop, innovate andcreate wealth. This policy will also strive to conserve for future generationsthe natural resources and environment of the country and will guaranteeTrinidadians and Tobagonians a better quality of life and a betterunderstanding of themselves and their society.

Trinidad and Tobago is operating within an increasingly competitiveglobal economy. Research and its resulting technologies, together withinnovation, enrepreneurship and quality issues, are the most importantengines driving the process of globalization. Wealth and job creationdepend on the application of new technology and a well trained, adaptivecitizenry to keep established industries competitive, and upon thedevelopment and growth of knowledge-based industries. This is anexciting time for Trinidad and Tobago as it is poised for entry into a newerera of prosperity. This is a time when all of Trinidad and Tobago'sbusinesses, industries and entrepreneurs can seize the opportunity to usetechnology, human ingenuity and skills, and the country's uniquestrengths and natural resources to increase their competitiveness in local,regional, and international trade.


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A National Policy on Science &Technology for T&T

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TTHHEE MMIISSSSIIOONN

The Government of Trinidad and Tobago's mission, as well as that ofbusinesses and all citizens, is to support and promote the successfultransformation of Trinidad and Tobago into a globally competitive,industrialised country- one that sustains its competitive advantage throughscientific and technological knowledge, innovation and growth in variousmodern and advanced products and services, so as to promote sustainablesocial economic development, and for the continuous upliftment of thestandard and quality of life of its citizens for present and future

generations.

Through this policy, Government will promote a new system for science,technology, quality and innovation which will be based on the creation ofan expanded, but well-coordinated and integrated, explicit system whichfosters coherence of activities and support in the partnership ofgovernment, business, labour and the science and technology, research and

training institutions. This approach will promote industry led technologicalgrowth, human resource development and product competitiveness, andour people will become active participants in highly productiveenterprises. The Government will accomplish this mission by:

actively promoting and supporting science, technology, quality andinnovation as critical factors in the activities of the individual, thebusiness and manufacturing community, the science, technology,quality and training institutions and the state.

championing science, technology, quality and innovation as a primaryvehicle for rapid business and industrial growth and competitivenessin the service of economic and sustainable development of the countryand the prosperity of its citizens.


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TTHHEESSTTRRAATTEEGGYY

The Government of Trinidad and Tobago recognises that a centralfeature of socio-economic progress in today's competitive worlddepends on the following factors: information and technologicalknowledge, an imperative for quality and productivity. Sustained,successful economic growth also requires a steady investment inhuman capital through education, training and access to social

services- the creation of an educated, adaptable and motivated labourforce. Acceptance of these factors is crucial for our industrial successand for social progress. They will make the difference between lowvalue added and high value added products from our industries,between a low export propensity and high export propensity,between an unbalanced and a balanced, diversified economy,between un-competitiveness and competitiveness and betweengrowth without human development and growth with humandevelopment. The core strategies to be pursued through this policy

on Science, Technology and Innovation will include:

the development of a well educated, adaptable and technologicallycapable population,with a strong scientific orientation, such that theycan apply research, science, technology, innovation andentrepreneurial skills for economic growth both now and in the future.

a focus and support for the diffusion, assimilation, acquisition andadaptation of technologies for the development of new products,

processes and services, the enhancement of skills, manufacturingefficiency, product quality and the overall national capacity forbusiness and manufacture.

a comprehensive support and encouragement to industries todevelop, exploit, and apply new advances in technology to ensurecompetitiveness and quality.This includes strengthening the capacity,particularly of SMEs to innovate, to absorb new technologies, to train


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their staff, to pursue R&D, product testing and marketing by using theavailable national and regional institutions.

support in training and research for basic and applied sciencesparticularly those areas which are closely related to technologicaladvances and applications used in the strategically important sectors.This will establish an environment, standard, and scientificunderstanding for maintaining and mastery of technology at a highlevel of sophistication, provide a developing ground for youngscientists, researchers and technologists, training of the future trainers,and positioning ourselves for sustainable future development.

the encouragement of investment in research and technology,

particularly industry driven research and development, which issupported by the national Science, Technology and Innovationinstitutions. This will lead to added value and sustainable exploitationof our natural resources, to the development of knowledge basedindustries and to the building of a capacity in science and technologyfor present and future generations. This is essential for wealth creationand competitiveness in the new global economy and for the presentand future prosperity of our people.

support for the country's science and technology infrastructure(teaching research, development, training, standardisation etc.) andcapacity building. However, this must be co-ordinated, integrated,directed and results driven. Science, technology and innovation mustbe seen as a continuum and a process for the economic and socialupgrading of all our citizens.

government's training, research, development, testing andstandardisation institutes will pro-actively support small and mediumsized businesses which create the majority of new jobs, but do notalways have sufficient resources to conduct research or capitalize ontechnologies or develop their staff in order to improve their

competitiveness.

closer and dynamic relations between higher education and publicresearch and development on one hand and the productive sector onthe other.This would enable the transformation of knowledge from thepublic sector into economically significant innovations in the privatesector and strengthen and support education, training and researchand development to the productive sector.


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facilitating innovation financing and partnering- Firstly investment inrisk capital and equity will be supported. Secondly, the conditionswithin which capital markets for innovative, high-growth companiesdevelop must be secured. Thirdly, interfaces between technological

innovation and financial circlesneed to be strengthened.

the creation of a strong incentive regime in Trinidad and Tobago,which is conducive to technological development, research, innovationand capacity building and strengthening. This should also provide astimulus for encouraging partnerships between industry including themultinational companies operating in Trinidad and Tobago, S&Tinstitutions and government. For e.g.

Creation of fiscal incentives to encourage

product/process innovations, quality control andenhancement and competitiveness through science andtechnology.

Direct partial, financial support to industries forR&D, for quality certification or accreditation, for HRdevelopment including continuous skills developmentand advanced training.

Creation of a system of annual awards for supportingand recognising science, technology and innovation. TheGovernment of Trinidad and Tobago has embarked on anational innovation awards system entitled The PrimeMinisters Awards for Innovation and Invention, so as topublicly recognise and reward excellence in innovation toindividuals, schools and companies.

reviewing the funding mechanism for the countrys science andtechnology based institutions and develop a funding policy for suchinstitutions that is output/project oriented and which promotes selfgenerated income.

reviewing the performance of organisations involved in variousfacets of science, technology and innovation and consolidate,rationalise or privatise when needed so as to ensure efficiency inGovernment spending, financial sustainability in the future,effectiveness in the discharge of their functions and closer linkageswith the business and manufacturing sector.


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the establishment of a contestable fund with the financial supportof industry for encouraging research and development by the scienceand technology institutions.

the establishment of a scholarship fund for the high level training atthe Doctoral and Post-Doctoral levels of nationals of Trinidad andTobago in science and technology areas of importance to the countrysstrategic industry and training needs.

accountability through monitoring and evaluation of theperformance of the Science and Technology infrastructure in thecountry. At present there is no systematic accounting, both financialand technical, of the science, technology and innovation activities in

Trinidad and Tobago. During 1997, 0.36% of GDP was devoted toScience and Technology activities (S&T Statistical Unit of NIHERST,2000). Of this, 0.13% of GDP was allocated to R&D expenditure whichis equivalent to approximately TT$49.2 million. Trinidad and Tobagosexpenditure on R&D is relatively low when compared to the % of GDPof other developed countries like the USA of 2.61%. In 1996, the mostrecent year for which comparable international data are available, areshown in table 1. Accounting for such spending and increasedspending and funding in the future will be through measurable targetssuch as:

The national output of peer-reviewed science andtechnology publications, masters and doctoral theses inS&T from the UWI at St. Augustine; self generatedincome achieved and projects undertaken throughindustrial research and development contracts by thescience and technology institutions and the business andindustrial community; the number of graduates inScience, Engineering and Technology from all tertiarylevel institutions including Bachelors, Masters andDoctoral graduates; the output of apprentices and

craftsmen from various vocational schools and skillsdevelopment programmes; the number of patents andintellectual property generated in the country; the outputof national standards and the number of companies andproducts with international certification.

The increased productivity and profitability ofTrinidad and Tobagos strategic industry clusters


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The increased contribution of the small and mediumsized enterprises to the economy

The increased exports of technological products and

services from Trinidad and Tobago

Government and Industry spending on training,R&D and innovation.

the promotion and support of regional and internationalcooperation, collaboration and alliances in science, technology and

innovation activities, and keeping Trinidad and Tobago at the forefrontof scientific and technological advances in areas of our strategicindustries. Using bilateral, regional and multilateral sources of fundingand support to proactively build our science, technology andinnovation capacity.

the institutionalisation of science, technology, innovation andentrepreneurship in all our educational programmes, from pre-schoolto University, and working towards science, technology andinnovation becoming an integral part of our cultural life through itsaction promotion.

the creation of an efficient system for the protection of IntellectualProperty Rights (IPR) which supports the Science, Technology,Innovation and Entrepreneurial effort.

fostering the growth of centres of excellence for training, research,testing and standardisation as well as science parks including businessincubators.

the establishment of a coherent national science, technology andinnovation system with a functional organisational structure for theeffective development, management and co-ordination of all facets ofscience, technology and innovation policy, programmes and actions.


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Table 1 Percentage of GDP on R&D by country (National Science Foundation)

YEAR COUNTRY % of GDP

1996 FranceGermany

United KingdomCanada

ItalyUSA

2.322.281.941.661.032.57

1997 USA*Trinidad and

Tobago

2.610.13

*Science and Technological Statistical Unit of NIHERST


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HHUUMMAANNRREESSOOUURRCCEEDDEEVVEELLOOPPMMEENNTT

The success of science and technology as a critical engine in theindustrialization and modernisation process, depends to a large extent onthe quality of the human resource availability. To have competitiveindustries, and innovation, well-trained people are required. In response torapid technological change, individuals and industry must embrace anattitude of lifelong learning and skills updating. Trinidad and Tobago's

training system (the primary and secondary schools, the tertiary leveltraining institutions including the technical and vocational institutes andthe University) must develop an understanding of industry needs in orderto properly equip students to participate in the labour market of the future.Equally important, industry must work in partnership with government toidentify, develop and support the training needs for graduates. A policy forintegrated human resources development to support industrial growth andinnovation must therefore include:

collaboration between institutionsto critically evaluate and developthe necessary curricula for the trainers and the trainees so that theymeet the needs of industry.

stemmingthe outflow of skilled manpower and reversing the braindrain

creating organic linkages between R&D institutions and trainingespecially at the tertiary level

promoting science education, both formal and informal. This willfocus onreviewing courses and teaching methods at national level tostimulate creativity and a spirit of enterprise from the earliest age.This involves:

establishing the permanent National Science Centre


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expanding the Science and Technology Popularizationprogramme to promote S&T literacy, innovation and anational S&T consciousness.

advanced training in S&T to be promoted

ensuring basic literacy and numeracyat the primary and secondaryschool levels.

exposure of all students at the secondary level to a broad andbalanced programme of science, technology, innovation andentrepreneurship.

establishment of scientific and technological consciousness andstrong career guidance programmes in schools.

emphasis at the tertiary level on basic sciences, applied sciences,engineering and science-based high technology in combinationwith business and social studies.

enhancing the availability and quality of technical education andraising the level of prestige and esteem of graduates of suchprogrammes to that obtained from the liberal educational systemthrough the creation of a national technical university.

education/re-education and training/re-training for those in the

work place through organized programmes, in unpacking andmaintaining technology, in the management of research as well as indeveloping new technology.

increasing the number of trained scientists and engineers, equip themwith an adequate hands-on capability to operate in the producingenvironment, and to complement them with the appropriate quantityand qualityof technicians and crafts-persons.

developing technical personnel and support in the areas of

maintenance and safety.

post-graduate stipends and scholarships to be maintained in realterms

establishing appropriate wage relativities for research workers inline with wages paid to other workers with similar levels of educationand training


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paid study leave for employees in both the public and private sectorsto maintain and extend their skills especially in mathematics,science and technology

improved infrastructure and access in areas such as libraries,equipment and machine shop facilities of research and learning

employment arrangements in Government research agencies bedesigned to promote skill development and long-term commitmentto careers in research and development


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AACCTTIIOONN

The Government of Trinidad and Tobago has, since the 1970's, sought todevelop a national science, technology and innovation capability.Institutions like the Caribbean Industrial Research Institute (CARIRI), theTrinidad & Tobago Bureau of Standards (TTBS), the Institute of MarineAffairs (IMA), the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC now TIDCO),

the National Institute of Higher Education, Research, Science andTechnology (NIHERST), the Small Business Development Company(SBDC) and the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) have beencreated and supported by Government. The Government has alsostrengthened the University's capability at the St. Augustine Campus in theareas of Engineering, Science and Agriculture, while continuing to supporttechnical training institutions like the John S. Donaldson and the SanFernando Technical Institutes within the umbrella of COSTAATT. Thelargest supporting research and development and training infrastructure is

based upon the importance of Food and Agriculture the Ministry ofAgriculture at Centeno, Caroni Research Station, CARDI, the Faculty ofAgriculture and Natural Science at UWI, NAMDEVCO etc. An ambitiousNational Skills Development Programme (NSDP) was launched within theMetal Industries Company (MIC), in addition to which, a National EnergySkills Centre (NESC) was also launched within the Ministry of Energy inorder to enhance the skilled manpower base of Trinidad and Tobago andthe Region, by providing increased opportunities for journeyman andadvanced technological training to support the industrial developmentthrust into the latter part of the 21st century and beyond. This will befurther enhanced with the creation of Trinidad and Tobago Institute ofTechnology (TTIT) which will become fully operational in January 2001.In spite of this core institutional infrastructure that exists, we have not beencompletely attaining our objectives. Therefore the pre-requisite now is toensure that Trinidad and Tobago's drive for industrial growth andcompetitiveness of its products and services, and a robust human resource


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capability in science, technology and innovation, are achieved by ensuringco-ordination, management resource allocation and a focus of this installedsystem to support the industrial and human development thrust. The key

elements of Government policy in this matter are therefore:

The establishment of a Minister in the Office of the Prime Ministerwith a dedicated portfolio of matters (policy, financial, international,technical) dealing with science, technology and innovation.

The establishment of an Inter-Ministerial Committee on Science,Technology and Innovation (IMCOSTI). IMCOSTI will be a StandingCommittee of cabinet and will consist of those Ministers whoseportfolios include major elements of Science, Technology andInnovation. IMCOSTI will be chaired by the Prime Minister, ordelegated to the Minister in whose portfolio Science, Technology andInnovation falls and will be the supreme advisory body to Cabinet onmatters pertaining to policies and priorities for the national effort inscience, technology and innovation (STI), levels of Governmentinvestment in STI, priorities and programmes for research anddevelopment, education and training and making science, technologyand innovation, effective and efficient. The work of IMCOSTI will besupported by the Minister with responsibility for STI in the Office of

the Prime Minister.

The establishment of a National Commission for Science, Technologyand Innovation, which for this purpose, we may refer to as aNational Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation(NCOSTI). This commission will comprise of a Board of Managementand an Executive Secretariat. The membership of the Board ofManagement will be drawn from government, business, labour, andthe science, technology and training institutions. This Commission

will have a broad mandate "to advise the Government on all mattersaffecting the national endeavour in Science, Technology andInnovation and its effect on the country's socio-economic growthand development. It will be established as an independent advisoryand supporting body to the IMCOSTI. Its role and function will beprescribed, and it will provide through a forum to bring all the keystakeholders - e.g. the chairmen of key STI institutions,decision/policy makers of Government, corporate leaders, eminentacademics/ researchers etc - to share their views on the Science and


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Technology system. This forum which will be chaired by the PrimeMinister will meet at least once or twice for the year.

For effective operation, the Science, Technology and Innovation

Executive Secretariat will report to the Board of Management andwill be responsible for collecting data, developing and analysingpolicy options, reviewing and interfacing with institutions, both localand international, managing the contestable research and trainingfunds, developing partnerships withUniversity/Industry/Government and assisting in the developmentof sectoral policies and programmes for Science, Technology andInnovation. This secretariat will provide the necessary bureaucraticsupport to NCOSTI. Moreover, the secretariat will also perform other

staff roles, such as supporting the Inter- Ministerial Committee onScience, Technology and Innovation. In carrying out its secretariatfunctions, this body will mainly be concerned with the acquisitionand analysis of information (including reviews, policies, programmesand audit reports) as inputs in the deliberations of the Commissionand the Inter-Ministerial Committee. In addition the secretariat willalso be required to:

Execute, manage, co-ordinate, review and monitor

such activities as may be mandated by the Commission; Disburse research and scholarship funds as approvedby the National Commission on Science, Technology andInnovation and monitor projects so funded; Perform research and development studies on STI as

requested by the National Commission on Science,Technology and Innovation; Develop and provide a national information

technology capability with particular reference to thenetworking of the R&D and tertiary training centres; Toformulate proposals on Science, Technology andInnovation policy including sectoral policies forconsideration; Assess and advise on STI elements, implications and

priorities of national plans and programmes;

Monitor and evaluate national and international STItrends in the context of their strategic implications(including the audit and review of indigenous R&Dprogrammes);


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Advise on inter-governmental and international STIagency agreements and other international STI affairsincluding membership of international agencies; Promote a greater understanding in the society of the

role and value of STI in national socio-economicdevelopment. Review annually the performance of all STI based

institutions. Treat with the rationalisation of all public sector

research and development agencies and in this contextGovernment will consider their devolution from thepublic service. Their rationalisation and consolidationwith other national institutions will also be considered.

Act as the central co-ordinating and funding agency

for all publicly funded and internationally supportedscience and technology activity within the country. Develop triennial budgets for funding research and

development in keeping with desirable targets forexpenditure on science and technology. This will allowthe science and technology institutions to developmeaningful programmes for training, research anddevelopment, technology transfer and commercialization.At the same time, this will allow Government ampleopportunity for monitoring and evaluating the

performance of these institutions.

The Commission for Science and Technology will create anAssociation of Science and Technology Institutions(CARIRI, TTBS,UWI, MIC etc.) to ensure optimisation of current programmes,financial and human resources, co-ordination, networking, focus anddirection of such institutions in their research and development,training, technological services, innovation, commercialization andquality functions, in keeping with Governments policy. NCOSTIsSecretariat will provide technical and administrative support for thework of the Association.

The Secretariat will co-ordinate the under-mentioned partnerships andwill seek to bring together public, private sector, and internationalfunding for providing seed money to support targeted research anddevelopment projects, specialised technological training, etc.


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A proposed Science, Technology and Innovation Management Systemfor National Development.

OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER

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MINISTER for Science, Technology and Innovation

POLICY

Inter-Ministerial Committee onScience, Technology and Innovation

(IMCOSTI)

National Commission for Science, Technologyand Innovation (NCOSTI)

Science, Technology and Innovation Secretariat

PROGRAMMES

ASSOCIATION OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY ANDINNOVATION INSTITUTIONS

UWI/CARIRI/TTBS/NESC/COSTAATT/IMA/EMA/CARONI/CENTENO/TIDCO/CARDI/NSDP/TTIT


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THE CONTESTABLE RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENTAND TRAINING FUNDS

In order to stimulate innovation for competitive growth, build research anddevelopment capacity and foster co-operation between R&D institutions in

both the public and private sectors, create linkages between the science andtechnology institutions and industry, this policy proposes theestablishment of a Contestable Research, Development and InnovationFund. The Fund is to be administered by NCOSTI and be made up ofallocations from the Government R&D budgets as well as contributionsfrom the private sector. Disbursements from the fund will be contested forby any institution(s) or group(s) in Trinidad and Tobago via proposals tothe NCOSTI. Proposals will be evaluated on the basis of:

Relevance to national priorities and industrial growth andcompetitiveness Scientific, technological and innovative merit Institutional strengthening and capacity building Collaboration between institutions whether in private

and/or public sectors

Such criteria will not only ensure meritorious proposals that are congruentwith the national development mission, but will force institutions to poolresources to develop innovative projects and programmes and an output,goal oriented approach to their work.


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The Research and development fund will have two contestable

components, viz:-

1.

A portion dedicated to support the work of basic and applied scienceand technology for potentially longer term industrial application, forcapacity building including development and training of a high calibreof S&T Researchers and Technologists

2. A portion dedicated to support the work of Industry in product, processand technology development. This is research and development forimmediate application, which will foster growth and industrialdevelopment. Industry must support and provide a level of funding

also.

One aspect of the Fund will also be divided to the training and exposure of

our nationals at global centres of excellence in the areas of advancedscience, high technology and policy as related to our perceived scientificand technological priority needs. It is recommended that this fund betargeted to Postgraduates particularly Doctoral and Post-Doctoral Studiesso as to create a cadre of Scientists, Technologists, Researchers and Trainersof the highest order.


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PPAARRTTNNEERRSSHHIIPPSS

Success of our science, technology, quality and innovation efforts will

require co-operation, communication and co-ordination among all thestakeholders government, business, public institutions and researchorganisations. Government will provide the environment andencouragement for developing the strategic partnerships required, with theExecutive Secretariat serving as the central catalytic and co-ordinatingagency for such activities. Partnerships which bring together policymakers, expertise, financial and other resources, market intelligence andopportunities, technology etc. may take the form of:

Research and Development Institutions /Industry/ Government Commercialization Partnerships

Partnerships involving the research and development institutions inthe country, related industries and businesses in strategic sectors of theeconomy, and the appropriate government ministries to target anddirect research and technological innovation as well as to develop new

product opportunities.

Industry/Educational Institutes/Government TrainingPartnerships

Partnerships involving industry, institutions for science andtechnology, education and training, and the Ministry of Education tofocus on the development of appropriate programmes of training andstudy to develop the human resource base of the country.


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RROOLLEEOOFFGGOOVVEERRNNMMEENNTT

The role of the Government is to strengthen, invigorate and guide thenational capacity in science, technology, quality and innovation so as tosupport and enhance the critical pillars of economic advancement.Government must provide leadership; it must set targets and provide andco-ordinate resources; it must integrate science and technology into itsoverall macro-economic planning and strategic thinking; it must openopportunities for technological advancement; and it must ensure that theresults of research and innovation are exploited. The Government ofTrinidad and Tobago will:

1. THE TOP PRIORITY IS TO FOSTER A GENUINE SCIENCE,TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION CULTURE

champion research, technology, quality, training and productivityas engines of growth within its socio-economic plans and

developmental programmes. This will include promoting basicscience and placing emphasis on training the creative, appliedscientists and other high-calibre technological manpower to lead thenation in an era of globilization of science, technology andinnovation.

establish a research, technology and quality climate that isconducive to job creation, wealth generation, and foreign and localinvestment. It will focus on:

development of a skilled and educated workforce.

competitiveness, innovation and quality.

diversification and value added industries.


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utilisation and commercialization of research and technology.

creation of a science culture and a co-ordinated system for

science and technology planning and management.

rewarding excellence for innovation and entrepreneur-ship inthe community, in industry, in academia, in government and inthe science and technology institutions.

strengthen and support the countrys installed science and

technologyinfrastructure and be a strong advocate of this. This willinclude upgrading physical facilities and equipment of R&Dinstitutions.

promote and strengthen international co-operation in science andtechnology through activities such as joint research projects,exchange of scientists and information, invitation of foreign scientists,and exchanging R&D laboratory facilities with foreign institutes

enhance the awareness of science and technology among youth andthe general public and foster a healthy culture of science, technologyand innovation in the nation

2. THE SECOND PRIORITY IS TO SET UP A LEGAL,REGULATORY AND FINANCIAL FRAMEWORK CONDUCIVETO SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION.

provide core funding at acceptable levels to maintain and developthe science and technology capability of our science, technology andinnovation institutions.

provide seed funding through a competitive pool of fundsfor science andtechnology institutions to undertake pre-commercial, applied research, and


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technological innovation for industrial development which is unlikely to befunded by non-governmental sources.

provide incentives to the private sector to encourage a partnershipapproach to the process of technological growth and advancement andsupport for our science, technology and innovation institutions.

make the patent system more efficient, more accessible and lessexpensive. In addition, search and retrieval capabilities will utilize moderninformation technology to reduce management costs and to promotecompliance with international standards

3. THE THIRD PRIORITY IS TO GEAR RESEARCH MORE CLOSELYTO SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION AT BOTHNATIONAL AND COMMUNITY LEVEL

reinforce national R&D projects that have been implemented to enhancethe competitiveness of industries and to lay the foundation for futureindustrial development. In carrying out these projects active participationfrom the private sector will be much encouraged

develop a strategic foresight vision of research and of its application.Exercises such as key technologies or Foresight will contributeto directing efforts to the sectors, areas or technologies, which are themost relevant for future development

set targets for the science and technology infrastructureof the country e.g.desirable levels of government expenditure, science and technology

manpower needs, areas for priority action, etc.

develop the start-up of technology-based firms.


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facilitate the development of partnershipsbetween industry, science andtechnology institutions, and government to foster technologicaladvancement, innovation, communication and training.

strengthen the capacity of SMEs for absorbing new technologies.Companies will have easier access to expertise at the highest level intechnological, organizational or management methods. Activities will beintensified in order to create improved links between the various science,technology and innovation systems with SMEs.

harness additional resources for research, technology andinnovationfrom business and industry, the University, internationalagencies etc.

mobilize other community instruments. Efforts will be directed toenvironmental protection (attention to major pollution problems fromindustries) and sustainable development, services sector, ruraldevelopment etc. Ongoing support and encouragement will bedirected to environmental research and natural resourcesmanagement. This will create wider public intervention and supportfor science, technology and innovation.


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SSCCIIEENNCCEEPPAARRKKSS

A Science Park, concisely put, is a special type of business parkuniquely suited to serve the facility-location needs of technology-oriented companies. It is affiliated with and located close to auniversity or one or more institutions of higher education or centres ofadvanced research, which seeks to spawn new start-up companiesand products from university research programs. A park would becreated to encourage, support and strengthen innovation, transfer oftechnology and productization. It would foster knowledge-based

businesses and nurture them into productive, job-producing activitiesand enterprises. It would also provide an environment for theentrepreneurial spirit and one in which larger and internationalbusinesses can develop specific and close interactions with aparticular center of knowledge creation for their mutual benefit.Ideally this should be a 3-in-1 park: a research park; a science park(i.e. development and prototyping) and a business park (i.e venturecapital, commercial productization, revenue and profit generating).All are combined to create a dynamic, interactive center of self-sufficiency to the fullest extent possible.

The development of a Science Park in Trinidad and Tobago should be a workingsystem that integrates science and technology-based enterprises with localindustrial and commercial activity and with a strong component of indigenousscientific and technological know-how derived from the local centres of educationand training.The Science Park could start with a significant component of essentiallyexternally-propelled industry which must be carefully assessed and should showa reasonable chance of evolving into enterprises that become more and moreintegrated with local resources natural as well as human. Therefore, thefollowing focus should be on encouraging this progression by strategies such as:

increasing the pool of science and technology trained personnel at every level

encouraging a spirit of innovation via: the education system


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recognition of innovative endeavour

developing integrative approaches towards the development of an idea orinvention to innovation to commercialisation and encouraging them via such

supportive services as business incubators, fiscal incentives, and collaborativearrangements between research personnel and commercial enterprise.


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The thrust of this policy is to support business and industry efforts toenhance industrial competitiveness, wealth and employment creationusing scientific and technological resources including a well trained workforce. However to reap the benefits of this, a greater sense ofunderstanding, urgency and specific strategies to deal with technology andits benefits are required of individual firms. Novelty, experimentation and

quality, achieved through technological innovation and human resourcesdevelopment, must become priority issues for businesses. This can only beachieved through research, development and training plans that are linkedto corporate strategy. Industry must forge and value partnerships betweenitself and the University, technical training institutes, and research anddevelopment institutes. This is particularly important for small andmedium sized businesses which often do not have the resources to conductresearch or commercialize results of research and development or identifytechnological needs or train their staff. However, many businesses look

upon research and development and staff development as an added costand a more risky expenditure than normal business expenditure.Government's policy will be to pro-actively encourage greater privatesector participation in the research, development, commercialization,training, and technological imperative through the creation of anenvironment that encourages innovation, partnerships, and expansion freeof unnecessary barriers and through fiscal incentives to the private sector.Incentives to be considered by Government include the following:


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FISCAL INCENTIVES TO INDUSTRY

tax relief on the profits of pioneering companies which add high

value to local resources or which emphasise the use of hightechnological skills.

tax relief on research and development expenses particularly forcapital expenditure incurred by a firm in the development of aresearch capability. Also for activities performed in Trinidad &Tobago related to adaptation, modification, design and qualityimprovement in a product or process and which may have beenexecuted with the support of local research and developmentinstitutions.

encouraging multinational companies to site some or all of theirengineering, product and process development, research andquality services in Trinidad and Tobago through a favourable taxregime.

tax relief for industries which acquire know how or patent rightsfrom overseas manufacturers.

tax relief for specialised, high level post-graduate education,

specialised technician training, and the transfer of skills atinstitutions or industries abroad.

EXPECTATION OF GOVERNMENT

In a dynamic and vibrant industrial economy, Government expectsthe private sector to be the dominant player with respect totechnological change and innovation, through focused researchand development, the commercialization of new products andprocesses, and the training of nationals in specialised areas ofscience, technology and innovation.


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A long term financial and technical commitment is required to steadilydevelop local businesses in support of Trinidad and Tobago's keyindustrial strengths. These strengths provide a focus for targeting researchand technological innovation, for human resource development, andparticularly for directing financial and other resources. Trinidad andTobago's cluster industry strengths have been identified as:

Food Processing, Agriculture, Agro-Industry;

Petroleum, Natural Gas, Asphalt, Energy;

Manufacturing, particularly in small and medium sized enterprises;

Tourism and Culture;

Biotechnology, Pharmaceuticals

The Environment;

Information Technology and Telecommunications; and

Materials and Construction.

The partnership approach, financial, technical and human, will use science,technology, innovation and commercialization to enhance thecompetitiveness and quality of these industrial clusters. While in the pasttwenty-five years Trinidad and Tobago directed its efforts on building ascience, technology, research and development, and training capability and

this must continue, the focus now must also be on the outcomes of thisinvestment effort as the true test is not only how much is spent on thisinfrastructure but how much is achieved in terms of the impact on Trinidadand Tobago's socio-economic goals.


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The mobilization of science, technology and innovation as a driving forcefor economic and social advancement will only flourish in a receptiveenvironment. The creation of a science consciousness and a technologicalculture is therefore crucial for the development of an innovative andcompetitive economy. A culture of science can have a positive impactupon our society as science is a culture of hope; a culture of freedom tosearch for truth; a culture of integrity, discipline and application; a

culture that spreads beyond national boundaries; and a culture ofdynamism. Technology is a culture of invention, innovation,development, transfer and diffusion and is crucial for industrial growthand entrepreneurship.The Government of Trinidad and Tobago, workingwith business and industry and the local science and technologyinstitutions, will harness science, technology and innovation for theindustrial growth and competitiveness of the nation, and will embark onan initiative aimed at public education and awareness of science,technology and innovation and its impact on social and economic progress.

Documents

Sci Tech Policy