It looks like Fradkov strongly believes that nanotechnology may fuel economic growth in Russia.
Photo: Dmitry Dukhanin
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Govt to Spend 30 Bln for Nanotechnology
At the yesterday sitting of Russia’s cabinet, PM Mikhail Fradkov advocated spending 30 billion rubles till 2010 for a new Federal Target Program, this time aimed at promoting nanotechnology. Even though only a few in the government realize what they are going to finance actually, the ministers believe in the haute science and nanotechnology is bound to encourage industrial growth in Russia, Fradkov thinks. If the success is ever achieved, of course.
Not a single minister of Russia’s cabinet appeared scientific-minded enough to give a precise definition of nanotechnology yesterday. Nevertheless, it is exactly the latter that the government is to promote first and foremost judging by the president’s message to the Federal Assembly.
Education Science Minister Andrey Fursenko came up with quite a few solutions of the problem. He suggested, for instance, acting via the Federal Target Program on Developing the Nano-Industry Infrastructure in 2007 to 2010.
But Economic Development Minister German Gref wasn’t inspired. Gref refused to give the target program status to Fursenko’s ideas, reasoning the 2007 draft budget went to the State Duma already and offering to put off the launch till 2008.
But Mikhail Fradkov was steadfast. “Once again, shut in the room those who are to find a solution. You have a few days for elaboration,” the PM ordered, signaling the nanotechnology will be added to the budget in the end.
It looks like Fradkov strongly believes that nanotechnology may fuel economic growth in Russia. Even though hardly anyone present at the meeting realizes what nanotechnology actually means, Fradkov said himself, the PM is ready to funnel excessive revenues exactly into this project.
Anything can happen and the future holds a lot of surprises. But no one in the government attempted yesterday even to suppose that nanotechnology will possibly not meet all expectations.
www.kommersant.com
All the Article in Russian as of Sep. 08, 2006
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