Regional Innovation Strategies in Central Macedonia: the Impact
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Regional Innovation Strategies in Central Macedonia: the impact Regional Innovation Strategy for the “South & East Region” of Lithuania LAUNCH EVENT, KAUNAS, 22/9/05 Paraskevi Tarani Regional Innovation Strategies in Central Macedonia: the impact 9 The profile of the region 9 The implementation of Regional innovation Strategies - the progress 9 The impact in the region Paraskevi Tarani I. Central Macedonia – the region at a glance Greece 9 Strategic position in the southern Europe, neighbouring with the Balkans and Eastern Europe. 9 Prosperous region combining Region of dynamic and specialized Central workforce Macedonia 9 Good opportunities to national and foreign investors 9 Transport and communication networks, and 9 The presence of national and international organisations in Thessaloniki I. Central Macedonia – the region at a glance Regional GDP in the European Union Objective 1 – Convergence Phasing out = GDP >75% EU25 / <75% EU15 Average 2000 – 2001 - 2002 2002 GDP per capita GDP per capita Unemployment GDP per capita PPS EU25=100 PPS* EU15=100 Rate % PPS * EU25=100 76,04 69,37 10,1 79,1 *Purchasing Power Standards I. Central Macedonia – the region at a glance Basic Regional Figures Source : EUROSTAT (NEW CRONOS) Central Macedonia Greece Surface (Km2) 19.146,2 131.625,5 Population (2000) 1.812.400 10.554.400 G.D.P. (2000) 11.670,9 11.638,7 Euro per inhabitant Employment (2000) % of the total 37,1 % 37,4 % population Unemployment (2001) % of the 10,8 % 10,2 % total work-force I. Central Macedonia – the region at a glance Basic Sectors in the Region sector Regional Regional distribution distribution of of GDP employment Primary sector 19% 18% secondary 25,5% 28% sector services 55,5% 54% I. Central Macedonia – the region at a glance R&D and Innovation potential Organisation Size Location Aristotle University 4.000 staff/ 70.000 students Thessaloniki Macedonia University 8 departments/10.000 Thessaloniki students Higher Tech Institute 650 staff/ 18.000 students Thessaloniki Higher Tech Institute 300 staff/ 7.000 students Serres FOURTH 400 researchers/ 4 Institutes Thessaloniki Technopolis: Information 77 companies / 800 staff Thessaloniki Technology Cluster I. Central Macedonia – the region at a glance Indicators per Greek Regions I. Central Macedonia – the region at a glance Strengths and weaknesses STRENGTHS Manufacturing is considerably developed in Central Macedonia. The Region is the centre of a new, but dynamic industrial complex, SMEs in the branches of food and beverage, textile and clothing, furniture, and larger companies in the industries of metal production, chemicals, and plastics. This new productive complex includes most of the 2,800 Greek firms which have invested in the Balkans. The emerging industries and Foreign Direct Investment belong to the tertiary sector, including medicine and health services, software, international retail chains, business services, and tourist services. The region has a strong education and research base, with the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and the University of Macedonia, with 4,000 staff members and 70,000 students. There are also two Technical Educational Institutes and the Thessaloniki Technology Park, which support the local industry. The Prefecture of Thessaloniki, located in Central Macedonia, is the second most important centre in Greece after Attiki: it is a major transport hub, most of the Region's industrial activity is concentrated here, and that its port and airport handle a substantial percentage of the country's imports and exports. WEAKNESSES Industrial composition of traditional branches: food, textile, basic metals Labour cost corporate strategies; vulnerability vis-a-vis low labour cost countries Low technology and R&D investment; fragmented technology supply Few technology intermediary structures; mismatch between technology supply and demand II. Central Macedonia Innovation Strategy RTP, DG Regio, 1995-97 RTP was the first attempt for the Regional Innovation Strategies in Central Macedonia RTP aimed, on the one hand, at enhancing innovation and regional competitiveness and enabling the industry of Central Macedonia to work at the best practice level, and on the other hand, elaborating methodologies and tools appropriate at sustaining regional innovation. RTP methodology II. Central Macedonia Innovation Strategy RTP, DG Regio, 1995-97 Stage I: Setting up the RTP II. Central Macedonia Innovation Strategy RTP, DG Regio, 1995-97 Stage II. analysis II. Central Macedonia Innovation Strategy RTP, DG Regio, 1995-97 Stage III: Strategy Networking Innovation ¾Development of Human resources Funding clusters and networks ¾Training in new ¾International technologies, innovation ¾Optimise existing technology co-operation management, and risk funding opportunities management ¾Increase the proportion of CSF funds for technology Regional companies Technology Technology supply transfer ¾Improve the ¾Expand the TT base Monitoring and regional R&D base in ¾From hard to soft evaluation the field of emerging TT infrastructure technologies ¾Telematics for TT II. Central Macedonia Innovation Strategy RTP, DG Regio, 1995-97 Priority 1: INCREASE FUNDING AVAILABLE TO BUSINESSES FOR TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION 1. Funding Businesses for Technological Modernisation 2. Funding Businesses for Research and Technological Development 3. Funding Businesses from European R&D Programmes Priority 2: SUPPORT TECHNOLOGICAL CO- OPERATION AMONG BUSINESSES 4. Foreign Direct Investment and International Technology Co-operation Stage IV: 5. Networking in the Food Industry 6. Networking in the Textile Industry Action Plan Priority 3: INCREASE OF HUMAN RESOURCE TECHNOLOGY SKILLS 7. Employee Technology Training RTP concluded 8. Training in Innovation Management with the 9. Training in Risk Management for Investment in South-East Europe 10. Training in Quality and Exports elaboration of a Priority 4: SUPPORT TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AND BUSINESS ACCESS TO regional EXTERNAL SOURCES OF TECHNOLOGY 11. Technology Transfer Department at the Thessaloniki Technology Park innovation 12. Textiles Institute of Northern Greece strategy based on 13. Centre for Research Dissemination at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki 14. Food Institute of Northern Greece six priorities, 15. Local Centres and Network for Technology Services. which in turn are Centre for Industrial and Developmental Studies of Northern Greece specialised in 22 Priority 5: SUPPORT THE ENDOGENOUS TECHNOLOGY SUPPLY 17. Associations for Industrial Information Technologies pilot projects. 18. Associations for Clean Technologies and Environment 19. Associations for Automation Systems 20. Association for Quality Control 21. Associations for Agro-technologies Priority 6: MONITORING AND EVALUATION 22. Observatory for Innovation and Development II. Central Macedonia Innovation Strategy RIS+ Implementation of the RTP Action Plan, DG Regio, 1999-2001 The main objective of "RIS+ Central Macedonia" was to fund the experimental phase of selected projects proposed in the Regional Technology Plan (RTP) Action Plan of Central Macedonia. The RTP constituted a collective effort to support innovation in the Region, through the promotion of applied research, co-operation between research institutions and industry, technology transfer, entrepreneurial capabilities, new production processes and effective competition in the global market. The RTP in Central Macedonia introduced a voluntary planning process in the Region, in the field of innovation. Due to the development of the RTP, innovation became part of the regional planning agenda. The continuous incorporation of innovative actions into regional planning mechanisms constitutes the major achievement of RIS+ in Central Macedonia. II. Central Macedonia Innovation Strategy RIS+ Implementation of the RTP Action Plan, DG Regio, 1999-2001 Pilot application of 9 RTP projects: Advance in the implementation of the RTP Action Plan. Other 7 projects out of 22 of RTP, were approved for funding from different Operational programs of the 2nd GSF Update of RTP action plan: RIS+ action plan based on best practices and projects from EU RIS regions. International exchange and promotion of the RTP- RIS+ projects: networking with RIS regions, conference, promotion of RIS+ and projects to the business. II. Central Macedonia Innovation Strategy Stage V: Implementation, 1997-99 RTP – RIS projects The figure presents the connection between the two programmes RTP and RIS+ concerning the priority areas and the pilot projects concluded. The pilot projects shown in red (9) are the pilot actions, which have been subsumed under the RIS+ programme. II. Central Macedonia Innovation Strategy RIS+ Network The Hellenic RITTS-RIS Association RIS projects in Greece 1994-96: RTP C. Macedonia 1997-99: RIS W. Macedonia, Thessaly, Sterea Ellada, and RITTS Crete 1998-00: RIS Epirus, RITTS EMT, and RIS Northern Agean 2000-: RIS+ C. Macedonia, W. Macedonia, Thessaly, Sterea Ellada, Peloponnesus In succession… A revised action plan for the region of Central Macedonia The revised action plan for innovation in Central Macedonia elaborated in the framework of RIS+ project, constitutes the basic outline for the submission and approval of a project entitled "Excellence-in-Central Macedonia" under the framework of the Regional Innovative Actions Programme. The main objective of the Excellence-in-Central Macedonia work plan is to make the companies and technology intermediary organisations of the Region familiar with the latest advances in business, technological,