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.