UNDP shows interest in Belarus’ contest of innovation projects

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is showing interest in joining the Belarusian contest of innovation projects, BelTA learnt from the State Science and Technology Committee (SSTC) of Belarus.

UN/UNDP Resident Coordinator in Belarus Sanaka Samarasinha became interested in the national contest of innovation projects. “It is possible that in the near future UNDP will establish its nomination in the contest or take part in project financing,” the SSTC added.

At the meeting SSTC Chairman Alexander Shumilin and the UN/UNDP Resident Coordinator in Belarus discussed the prospects of bilateral cooperation, including economic development, energy saving, improvement of venture capital financing mechanisms. According to Alexander Shumilin, Belarus has been implementing a wide range of programs to support innovation activity, part of which comprising investments in technological modernization, not genuine innovations. In his words, an array of methord and mechanisms of supporting true innovations should be expanded. Venture capital financing development is one of such ways.

An important area of cooperation can be harmonization of statistics of innovation activity taking into account of international statistics standards. At present there are considerable differences in the methodology and rules of collecting statistical data in basic research, developments and innovations between Belarus and many European countries. “it pertains first of all to innovation activity statistics. Differences hamper international comparison of innovation development of Belarus with many countries both at the macro and micro-level,” Alexander Shumilin said.

According to the UN/UNDP Resident Coordinator in Belarus, in the near future UN experts will discuss UNDP assistance to national governments in the search of innovation solutions. In his words, there are three areas where innovations can be supported in the country: green economy, regional development and public-private partnership. “These initiatives will not only provide an opportunity for financial support but also allow being a platform for further innovation development and opening of national innovation laboratories,” Sanaka Samarasinha said.

The participants of the meeting also discussed innovative development in the social are and involvement of the youth in innovation activities.