Recent news
December 2010
New report finds increasing commitment to research from developing countries
December 22, 2010 -- Many low- and middle-income countries are demonstrating a growing commitment to science, innovation, and research and development (R&D), according to a new report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The OECD Science, Technology and Industry Outlook 2010 found that although the 34 OECD member countries, which are all industrialized, are likely to lead much of R&D for the near future, other nations are starting to have an impact and will help to shape science and technology worldwide. The report says that "increasingly, countries as diverse as China, South Africa, Indonesia, and Vietnam are developing broad-based innovation strategies that encompass existing and new technologies, as well as social innovations.” According to the report, R&D activities in non-OECD countries are “intensifying and expanding across more regions. Non-OECD economies continue to increase their expenditures on R&D and have become important players.”
The report also found that an increasing number of countries are using incentives to spur R&D. More than 20 OECD governments provide fiscal incentives to encourage business R&D, up from 12 in 1995 and 18 in 2004. Non-OECD countries—such as Brazil, China, India, Singapore, and South Africa—also provide tax incentives for investment in R&D, according to the report. See the links below for more details.
