The European Innovation Scoreboard (an annual comparative study – cf. http://trendchart.cordis.lu/tc_innovation_scoreboard.cfm) published today by the European Commission confirms Germany’s strong position amongst the European and international technology nations.
Michael Glos, Federal Minister of Economics and Technology, states: “The high level of innovation in Germany is a key element for our lasting economic success. Only if our businesses keep succeeding in gaining fresh technological advantages will we be able to uphold our high social and environmental standards in the long term. However, the good marks we are scoring on innovation must not allow us to sit back and relax,” continued the minister. “Rather, we need permanent and increasing efforts in the field of innovation and research, since our rivals on the world market are also aiming to innovate. As technology minister, therefore, I am a firm advocate of the goal we have jointly agreed in the EU: to invest at least 3 % of our gross domestic product (GDP) in research and innovation by 2010. But it is also important for the innovation in research and education to be efficient, i.e. for it to be transformed into competitive, innovative goods and services. And a stable supply of venture capital for young firms, an outstanding education and training system, and an innovation-friendly climate are equally of importance in this regard.”
According to the report published today by the European Commission, Germany’s innovative performance ranks sixth behind Sweden, Switzerland, Finland, Denmark and Japan, followed closely by the USA and other leading industrial nations. This good result is not least due to the high number of patents registered by German firms and research establishments and by the high level of integration of German companies in the production chains of medium and high technology. In terms of cutting-edge technology, however, Germany’s performance is only moderate, and is having to cope with increasingly strong international competition.
According to the study, problems are posed in particular by the clearly below-average supply of venture capital, the inadequate number of graduates in the natural sciences and engineering, deficiencies in further training and in the training of young people, and a below-average provision of broadband internet.
Federal Minister Glos: “The reform of support for innovation in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) which I have launched is a central element of our policies to keep Germany fit for the future (http://www.bmwi.de/BMWi/Navigation/Presse/pressemitteilungen,did=183540.html). The existing support programmes are being merged to form one powerful programme. SMEs will then only have to deal with one contact point for their research and innovation projects and will have less bureaucracy to handle. In addition to this, the innovative companies can look forward to substantially improved financing conditions.
Innovative SMEs must not lose touch with new technologies now. Especially in times of dynamic economic growth, the state and the private sector must not forget to undertake fresh investment in order to keep playing an active role in the system of innovation.”
