On the morning of February 15, the National Assembly held group discussions on the draft resolution to pilot policies aimed at addressing obstacles in science, technology, and innovation.
Speaking at the session, General Secretary Tô Lâm noted that Resolution 57 was issued at the end of 2024, but its implementation will require amendments to the Law on Science and Technology, which could take until mid or late 2025. As a result, the resolution cannot be fully enforced this year through legislative means.
Therefore, the General Secretary emphasized the need for an interim resolution to address challenges facing science and technology, as waiting for the full legal process to amend laws could take years.
“The resolution today is about removing barriers, but as delegates have pointed out, it’s not just about removing obstacles—it’s also about promoting and encouraging progress,” the General Secretary stated.
General Secretary Tô Lâm speaking at the session on February 15General Secretary Tô Lâm speaking at the session on February 15 (Photo: Phạm Thắng).
He highlighted that the scope of these issues is vast, and any attempt to address them encounters difficulties due to existing regulations. This effort serves as a lesson in institutional reform, with the resolution acting as an urgent solution to remove systemic bottlenecks.
This special session of the National Assembly was convened to address pressing matters, according to the General Secretary.
Based on input from localities, ministries, and businesses, the government has proposed several key issues grouped into three focused areas. The General Secretary warned that if too many issues are raised without focus, the resolution risks getting bogged down in details and failing.
“The spirit is to run while forming orderly lines—neat and disciplined—but we must keep moving forward,” he said.
According to the General Secretary, everyone recognizes the value and necessity of developing science and technology, yet progress remains stalled due to numerous challenges. Amending the Law on Science and Technology alone won’t suffice.
“The Public Procurement Law also poses problems. It prioritizes buying cheap goods, turning science and technology into a dumping ground for outdated technologies. We must leapfrog ahead; even if we’re behind, we need to find shortcuts and catch up. If we blindly follow others without knowing how, we’ll remain stuck trailing behind,” the General Secretary stressed.
He added that sometimes other countries offer technology for free, but accepting it can trap us. The Public Procurement Law focuses only on cost savings, but investing in low-cost options delays our ability to compete globally.
Some economies, he noted, have struggled to advance their science and technology sectors due to capital constraints and confusion over how to recover investments for adopting new technologies.
“If we fall into this same trap, we’re doomed. That’s the problem with public procurement—its rigid approach pushes us into such situations, and we need to break free,” the General Secretary remarked.
Highlighting the importance of advancing science and technology, the General Secretary likened it to “untamed land” waiting to be explored. Whoever ventures into it successfully stands to gain immense rewards. Thus, priority policies are essential to achieve these goals.
The development of Resolution 57 (Resolution 57-NQ/TW on breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation) has garnered strong support from scientists and the public. However, to translate it into tangible action, participation from all levels of society and the scientific community is crucial, according to the General Secretary.
“To truly bring these policies to life, we face another phase filled with challenges and difficulties. Achieving results requires fresh thinking, innovative approaches, and confronting reality head-on to find solutions,” General Secretary Tô Lâm emphasized.
Regarding taxation, the General Secretary explained that although the government offers tax exemptions and reductions, it ultimately collects more revenue.
“At a government meeting, I was moved to hear about tax exemptions, reductions, and lower interest rates on loans. Without access to affordable credit for production and business, economic growth stalls. Even with low-interest rates, many people borrow. We must create policies that encourage borrowing rather than focusing solely on maximizing collections,” the General Secretary concluded.
