Rio, 3/23/2004 (Agência Brasil) - Speaking at the Catholic University (PUC) of Rio de Janeiro yesterday, minister of Science and Technology, Eduardo Campos, called for a National System of Science, Technology and Innovation which will allow development at the regional level. According to the minister, the idea is to reduce regional disparities, making it possible for each region to possess sufficient scientific and technological infrastructure to support socio-economic development efforts.

Campos emphasized the importance achieving scientific/technological parity nationwide by stimulating cooperation among emerging research groups in the North, Northeast and Central West, with established centers of excellence in the South and Southeast.

The minister also called for further international cooperation in science and technology, pointing out that Brazil must participate consistently in multilateral forums dealing with the sector. (translator: Allen Bennett)