EC's Grata explains 4th framework programme emphasis on Technology Transfer & Innovation

London 14-7-1996 G. Grata, Director General of DGXIII/D, EU Commission, explained the reasoning behind the EU Framework Four R&D Programme in relation to Technology Transfer & Innovation at the third biennial international Technology Transfer & Innovation conference in London on 1-3 July. This conference, organised by the Teaching Company Directorate attracted some 350 participants. The aims are to encourage innovation in industry and commerce, particularly small or medium sized enterprises, and to identify means of its successful implementation.

The themes of the Technology Transfer & Innovation Conference went to the heart of what is needed for the success of industry and education. Improved competitiveness depends more than ever on exploiting efficiently, new knowledge and technologies, for the development of new products and processes. Policies to advance these areas have been widely established including by the UK Government.

Business incubators to support small and medium enterprises , particularly those engaged in knowledge-intensive, value added, technolgy-related activities are being set up all over the world. The reason being that large companies are downsizing, divesting business sectors by spinning off new companies with a clearly defined focus. These smaller companies are seen as the main agents for job and wealth creation.

One of the keynote speakers at the conference, . G. Grata, Director General of DGXIII/D, EU Commission, explained the reasoning behind the EU Framework Four R&D Programme in relation to Technology Transfer & Innovation. He mentioned that this programme is the first under Maastricht rules. It is part of an integrated programme for EU R&D which mainly supports infrastructure. It targets three areas:

  1. The promotion and creation of an environment conducive to successful innovation. This includes not just better company results, but also adjustment of business to be more responsive to clients.
  2. Stimulation of people networking, making sure that national sites talk to each other so that a process developed in one place is also used in other places.
  3. To ensure that technology generated by EU funding is broadly taken up.
In addition a number of centres are funded whose mission is to study the field, monitor the activities and use this information to secure synergy and help the region. He stated that only a third of the budget goes to Technology Transfer projects. He continued by reasoning that Europe is not as developed as other regions in the world, due to the fragmented legal environment. The Commission analyzed the problem and came up with 30 actions.

The solution is distilled to national actions for innovation in Europe. The programme defines national actions to be implemented by member states; these actions are those which the European Union wants to do. It also recommends actions for member states which are particular to them. These national actions allay fears and satisfy the notion of reciprocity.

When asked whether EU convergence was abandoned Grata replied that convergence is still an objective but needs to be accepted by countries.

There is apparently political support for innovation. Politicians see it as a way of addressing unemployment. Grata concluded by urging that a concerted effort by all countries is needed to achieve this goal.

Chris Lazou