The Research, Innovation and Enterprise Council (RIEC), which is responsible for mapping Singapore?s research direction, will hold its third annual meeting here on Wednesday.

The council is expected to unveil a plan to help universities bring research from lab to market. Chaired by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, the three-day meeting will bring together some 20 government and industry leaders.

The council will look at strengthening research by enhancing innovation, said the National Research Foundation, which serves as a secretariat to the council.

It will also explore how researchers can be encouraged to take on a second hat - that of an entrepreneur.

Since 2006, the council has committed some $2.48 billion out of its $5 billion warchest to boost the research drive.

The council will also review Singapore?s research report card by looking at the progress made in the biomedical sciences, green technology, and the IT and digital media fields.

These three areas were earmarked during the first RIEC meeting in 2006 as pillars of the industry.