Oman spent 0.2% of GDP on R&D

MUSCAT, OCt 3 - The Sultanate has spent RO 63.6 million or 0.2 per cent of the GDP on research and development in 2017 against the internationally recommended minimum of 1 per cent. This was revealed in the three-day national seminar on ‘ science, culture and innovation indicators – expenditure on the research and development, organised by The Research Council (TRC) at Oil and Gas Institute in the Innovation Complex in Al Seeb on Wednesday. The seminar was inaugurated by Dr Ali bin Masoud al Sunaidy, Minister of Commerce and Industry and Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council for Planning.

Dr Hilal bin Ali al Hinai, TRC Secretary-General, said that research and development is one of the key drivers for the knowledge-based economy. It should be noted that the states known for their strong economy and high competitiveness attach great interest to research and development. They may allocate up to 4 per cent of the GDP to R&D activities.

The government and private sector make their contributions to these allocations because R&D have great positive economic and social effects on society at large.

Dr Al Hinai said the Sultanate needed to focus on research particularly in the industry sector.

There has been a limited spending on research during the past three years, Al Hinai said that spending should rise in the coming years with the increased awareness about the importance of partnership between the academic and industrial institutions.

He said the government of the Sultanate attached importance to the private sector’s contribution to developing research as is the case with the leading countries in this field.

The Sultanate is endeavouring to improve its position in the international innovation map, however this goal will be realised only by giving more attention to research, innovation and development and prioritising them in the coming period with the aim of boosting national income diversification.

Dr Sharifa al Harthiyah, Director, National Innovation Strategy Project, said the number of researchers stood at 2,761 last years, however spending on research is not enough.