Peru forms a working group to create a ministry of science and technology

Lima, Sep 22 (EFE) .- The Government of Peru created this Wednesday a multisectoral working group that should prepare a bill for the creation, organization and functions of a ministry in the field of science, technology and innovation.

The measure, which was made official in a resolution published in the legal regulation bulletin, establishes that the group will be made up of representatives of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and the ministries of Production, Environment, Health, Energy and Mines. , Agrarian Development and Irrigation, Defense, and Education.

In addition, the National Council of Science, Technology and Innovation (Concytec), the Peruvian Institute of Nuclear Energy (IPEN) and the National Institute of Health (INS).

The group must be installed within a maximum period of three business days and will be valid until October 31, at which time it must coordinate the preparation of documents that support and integrate the file of creation of the new ministry, as well as the project of law that allows its creation, organization and functions.

The creation of a ministry dedicated to science and technology was one of the main proposals of the electoral campaign of the current Peruvian president, Pedro Castillo.

After the publication of the resolution, the president of IPEN, Modesto Montoya, declared to the official Andina agency that this ministry will make it possible to reverse the low rates of scientific production and prevent “the flight of talents” in his country.

Montoya, who is mentioned as the main candidate to lead that ministry, indicated that the term granted to the working group will be sufficient, because the Presidency of the Council of Ministers (PCM) is already working on the issue in advance.

He added that it is proven that ministries of this type promote scientific production and gave Argentina and Brazil as an example, which, he said, are the two countries in the region that work in the production of vaccines against covid-19.

“It is time to stop selling products without added value, this is what will happen by promoting scientific production,” he said before adding that the flight of Peruvian talent will also be avoided “to world powers that have scientists in good regard.” EFE

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