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The new legislative framework for research and technology in Greece: a
government nod of approval for the proposals made by the Federation of
Industries of Northern Greece (FING)
My article for the previous issue of the Federation’s newsletter began
with the observation that “… more and more these days the items heading
the agenda on any discussion of social problems are unemployment and
education…”. In the context of this ongoing discussion, the Federation
of Industries of Northern Greece submitted to the government a set of
opinions and proposals relating to the new draft legislation on
“research and technology” in this country.
This is a very important piece of legislation for our national
development, since the research policy it will shape, directly or
indirectly, should be able to help reduce the technological, and thus
the development gap, between Greece and Western Europe. Indeed, this
government initiative comes at a time when expenditure on research and
technology in this country will have to approach 1.5% of GDP by the year
2010, if we are to achieve the targets set in Lisbon. We are therefore
delighted with the new legislative framework, since the re-organisation
of the present regime is a clear attempt at reform and a long overdue
decision in favour of development.
Once again, as it has done so many times in the past, the Federation of
Industries of Northern Greece has developed a set of proposals that take
into account:
• the “failures” of the existing framework, and
• international experience, but
• first and foremost the needs of its members.
During a meeting at the Ministry of Development, the General Secretary
for Research & Technology accepted the principal observations made by
the Federation with regard to the proposed new legislation on research.
In our view, the new law must:
1. include a clearer description of the National Research & Technology
Programme. As far as the Federation is concerned, this Programme is the
basis and foundation for the realisation of the country’s research
policy, which is why we want the legislation to contain a description of
its structure, contents and procedures.
2. provide for greater private sector participation in the instruments
instituted by the new legislative framework. The ultimate goal of the
new legislation is to encourage increased private expenditure on
research and to foster a more direct and substantial linkage between
research and production. This, we believe, can best be achieved through
greater and more substantial private sector participation in the various
bodies.
3. give a sufficiently detailed analysis and clear description of the
procedure for an “integrated approach to the utilisation of knowledge”.
The new legislation provides for the creation of other structures (in
addition to those already in existence) in support of innovation, at
both the national and the regional level. This in turn requires
clarification of how these structures are to be interlinked, so as
facilitate the best possible utilisation of knowledge.
On the whole, the new legislation is, in my view, a step in the right
direction; and it contains some very positive proposals. I believe that
a synthesis of the views of the State and the various bodies concerned
can shape a new framework for research and technology that:
1. will be realistic in terms of the research structure of this country
and will help it grow and develop by opening new research horizons,
2. will mobilise private enterprise, and thus private capital, towards
innovation and the conversion of innovative ideas into new, high
added-value products that will boost the competitiveness of Greek
businesses, and
3. will provide opportunities for new business activity, particularly at
the regional level, that will, if nothing else, help reduce unemployment
and absorb the country’s output of highly-trained and highly-skilled
professionals.
Finally, I am also very hopeful that this new research framework will,
in the course of time, serve as a means of social cohesion on the
regional level.
Previous President's Messages
Zero profits for processing industries in Northern Greece in 2010, with one in three businesses reporting losses
Only daring decisions will take the country out of this impasse
The Federation’s Proposals for development
The need to take measures to immediately bolster the economy and improve business competitiveness
A new year – new expectations for growth and development
Developmental measures to offset unemployment benefits with job subsidies
Enhancing "Greek Value" by resolving problems that drag on
Greece’s rise in the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook ranking is encouraging news amidst the crisis
The Federation of Industries of Northern Greece making a decisive contribution to manufacturing strategy up to 2020
The government's immediate priorities in 2010 to develop the infrastructure in Thessaloniki and boost the competitiveness of manufacturing enterprises
Expectations from the new government: the manufacturing sector should be the new government’s focus
Industry should be among the Government’s policy priorities
Industry centre stage again
Proposals for avoiding the financial crisis
Bold decision-making for avoiding the financial crisis
Prospects for growth in Northern Greece in an environment of international crisis
Investment Law and Northern Greece
The market of izmir: the next goal for outward-looking enterprises of
northern greece
The
new government’s aspirations for thessaloniki and northern greece:
fing’s proposals for development
Thessaloniki and Northern Greece in International Markets
Regional
development policy as an engine for local industrial development
Global
orientation, productivity and realistic management of the National
Strategic Development Plan (NSDP). The challenges for 2007
Investment Law and Northern Greece
The new
legislative framework for research and technology in Greece: a
government nod of approval for the proposals made by the Federation of
Industries of Northern Greece (FING)
Thessaloniki has the potential to become the second pole of development
for Greece and the headquarters for development organizations nationwide
Changing
attitudes to combat unemployment – Proposals for creating closer links
between education and production
Support
for the Regions: From now on, policy actions and not just policy
announcements
The
business community – a force for social cohesion in Northern Greece
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