SA behind in research spending

South Africa is far behind global research and development (R&D) targets, said Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor on Tuesday.

She said the average annual R&D spending of the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development members was more than three times of that of South Africa.

"... and this is increasing," she told the Sugar Mill Research Institute in Durban.

This was happening despite the government having achieved its target of spending 1% of its yearly gross domestic product on R&D.

"Knowledge-intensive economies are spending more than South Africa is."

In a speech prepared for delivery, Pandor said her department had developed an innovation strategy for the next ten years. This was aimed at developing South Africa into a knowledge-intensive economy. New patents should be devised, with technology enhancing industry.

"The production and dissemination of knowledge should enrich all fields of human endeavour," Pandor said. - (Sapa, December 2009)