During a meeting with Director of the Directorate General for Research and Innovation Robert-Jan Smits, Popovic underlined that the Serbian government undertakes concrete measures to strengthen the links between science and economy and to improve the innovation and technological infrastructure in the country.
Financing of science in Serbia is mostly done by the state, but it is necessary that the economy takes over this financing gradually, in the greatest part. This is a process that has already taken place in the most developed countries, the Minister explained.
He noted that for this reason innovation and technological development are of key importance in the coming period, adding that this will lead to the domestic economy using the scientific research potential of Serbia more.
Popovic added that Serbia is moving towards the development and implementation of the concept "Industry 4.0", which entails complete digitization of all processes, from design, through planning, construction, production, logistics and sales.