Science and technology minister Naledi Pandor has encouraged international companies to open research and development (R&D) facilities in SA, as the country positions itself to be the preferred destination for foreign investment in R&D.
Pandor made the comments during her annual presentation of the top priorities the Department of Science and Technology (DST) aims to achieve this year.
The DST is looking to strengthen investment in R&D to achieve targets and provide better work opportunities and develop the skills of South African citizens, according to the minister.
Pandor has urged each programme in the DST to give thought to creative ideas on how it could work better to improve the country's resources, contribute to economic development and attract multinationals to support the department's projects.
With foreign funding accounting for approximately 15% of SA's total national R&D expenditure, increased foreign investment is essential if the country is to achieve the target of 1.5% of gross domestic product (GDP) expenditure on R&D by 2019, she said.
Although SA remains a competitive investment destination, it has failed to achieve the required percentage of GDP spent on R&D.
Last year, the annual R&D survey, conducted by the Centre for Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators at the Human Sciences Research Council, showed SA's spend on R&D continued to stagnate.
The report found that in 2013-14, SA spent 0.73% of its GDP on R&D, the same percentage as 2012-13 and 2011-12.
Science-driven
Pandor also noted her department and its entities like the National Research Fund want to find ways to increase funding and international training opportunities for South African PhD students.
As public science engagement is among the department's most important flagship projects as part of attracting more young people to science, the minister has called for a more vibrant communication strategy this year and have a lot more people "talking science" in society.
Although the department can be proud of the Square Kilometre Array as one of the major success stories, there is a major part of society that still doesn't know what the project is all about, she stated.
According to the minister, the public sector alone cannot provide the required capital for the full commercialisation of new technology products and services.
"The support and more active participation of the private sector in the commercialisation process will assist not only in increasing the local pool of high-tech investment resources, but also address the scarcity of skilled individuals to take more products, processes and services to the market," she said.
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