In a bid to implement the slogan of creative economy and to boost inter-department cooperation, the government pledged to step up its support for a comprehensive nano technology research and business development project.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy, together with the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning, will invest a total of 15.3 billion won ($13.5 million) this year into the Nano Tech 2020 business, officials said Sunday.

The joint project kicked off last year to offer financial aid and business support to local frontrunners in the nano science field. Some 6.7 billion won was given to 10 enterprises last year, according to officials.

This year, the Trade Ministry will select additional beneficiaries, focusing on those specializing in nano-element studies and high performance energy conversion, officials said.

In order to monitor the research process and to assure the business profitability of the participant enterprises, the ministry is also to run an exclusive business agency and set up an expert advisory panel.

“The project is about discovering innovative nano technologies which comply with the needs of the industrial circles and developing them into creative economic models,” said an official of the ministry.

Companies may submit their applications from April 16 to May 1 through the Nano Tech 2020 website (http:// www.nanotech2020.org) and the results will be announced by the end of May.

By Bae Hyun-jung (tellme@heraldcorp.com)