Thailand reviews national research strategy

BANGKOK, September 10 (TNA) - The Office of the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) is reviewing the Eighth National Research Policy and Strategy to help speed up the national development amid the country's changing situation. As part of the move, a public hearing on a revised draft of the Eighth National Research Policy and Strategy for 2012-2016 was held by the NRCT in Bangkok on Wednesday to gather public ideas and opinions on relevant issues. NRCT Secretary-General Professor Soottiporn Chittmittrapap stated that the Eighth National Research Policy and Strategy will be in accordance with the National Economic and Social Development Plan, focusing on developing Thailand to be a major agro-industrial country covering 20 areas, especially the development of five key economic crops, namely rice, cassava, para rubber, oil palm and sugarcane. Professor Soottiporn said he believed that the concrete and successful development of the Eighth National Research Policy and Strategy should be Thailand's turning point to achieve the national goal of becoming a world major agro-industrial production base. According to the NRCT chief, the Eighth National Research Policy and Strategy will also focus on the development of Thailand's processed farm products, logistics, social communities, public health and education. Besides, more strategic approaches on applying research projects to be utilised in the communal and business sectors will also be included, along with those on promoting public access on relevant information and intellectual property (IP) issues. (TNA)