Insufficient, budget for science and technology in the face of challenges and needs presented by the sector in Mexico: Brasil Acosta

The Brazilian deputy Alberto Acosta Peña (PRI), secretary of the Science, Technology and Innovation Commission, affirmed that although the draft Expenditure Budget of the Federation (PEF) 2022 sent by the Federal Executive proposes an increase in Branch 38 4 thousand 593.9 million pesos (mp) destined to Science and Technology, in relation to what was approved in 2021, this is “insufficient for the challenges and needs faced by science and innovation in Mexico.”

In a statement, the parliamentarian highlighted that the Covid-19 pandemic demonstrated the absolute need to promote the development of science, technology and innovation, in order to safeguard humanity with the generation of scientists who carry out research that promotes the social and human progress.

In addition to this, he pointed out that the estimated increase is still far from the investment of 1 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) that should be allocated to science and technology, so that “the increase that the PEF 2022 project foresees, more than an increase is a recovery if we also consider the elimination of trusts, the apparent expansion to the item is even less real ”.

Therefore, he indicated that he asked the Science, Technology and Innovation Commission to integrate into the opinion document of the PEF 2022 the return of the trusts to guarantee multi-year projects in scientific activity, to increase the resources for the S190 programs, of the National Council Science and Technology (Conacyt); as well as for the National Strategic Science, Technology and Relationship programs with the social, public and private sectors of Conacyt.

In the area of ​​postgraduate scholarships and quality support, he mentioned that he requested an increase of 13,442 million pesos, compared to the 12,442 million pesos proposed by the federal Executive, in order to “promote scientific development and seek greater possibilities for that our students have more support to generate knowledge and build a better society ”, he stressed.

He reported that the PEF 2022 Project estimates for Science, Technology and Innovation resources for 55 thousand 833.1 million pesos; However, compared to the resources allocated in 2021 of 53 thousand 139.1 million pesos, which represented a decrease of -4.6 percent compared to the previous year, the estimate for 2022 would imply an Average Annual Growth Rate (TMCA) of -0.4 per cent between 2019-2022.

The legislator for the State of Mexico added that the PEF 2022 does not reflect the necessary resources to guarantee compliance with the right to access to science and technology, so “we will continue to promote that the increases are reflected for the good of Mexico and progress. scientific and technological that our country requires ”.

Photo: Chamber of Deputies