Govt promises research funds

MATARAM, West Nusa Tenggara: The Office of the State Minister of Research and Technology has pledged up to Rp 1 billion in research funds to encourage new inventors who contribute to the development of the nation.

Minister Hatta Radjasa said here on Tuesday, in the past year, the office had financially assisted six scientists who made breakthroughs in fields including food and information technology.

He said a higher number of inventions were being registered with the Directorate General of Intellectual and Property Rights at the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights. While he did not provide specific data, he said new patented inventions reached thousands a year. -- JP