Brussels, 29/04/2003 (Agence Europe) - At a press conference in Brussels on Tuesday, Commissioner Philippe Busquin unveiled an Action Plan the European Commission will be adopting on Wednesday to increase the level of investment in R&D in the European Union from 1.9% to 3% of GDP by 2010 as called for by the March 2002 Barcelona European Council. Most of this increase in investment in research will be provided by the private sector, which will fund two-thirds of the additional investment. According to an economic study carried out by the Commission, achieving the 3% target should lead to a 0.5% increase in GDP and the creation of 400,000 extra jobs each year after 2010. In order to achieve this, R&D investment will have to rise by 8% a year on average, 9% a year in the private sector and 6% in the public sector. As the Commissioner pointed out, the investment gap with the united States is now more than EUR 120 billion a year wide, largely due to a lack of private investment. In 2000, the combined expenditure of the top 500 global R&D performers in the private sector amounted to EUR 307.4 billion, almost twice the total R&D expenditure in the whole of the EU that year. The European share of R&D investment by the top 500 companies is not very large, approximately 29% (compared to 44% for US firms).
A process of coordination with EU Member States on actions for increasing investment in research and foster a rapid and coherent development of national and European policies. This will also look at fiscal measures and removing obstacles to European cooperation in national research programmes. The Commissioner explained he wanted national programmes to be fully opened up by 2005.
Refocusing public spending to support research and innovation. In the next few days the Commission will adopt a decision making it no longer necessary to notify state aid for research for SMEs. It will also be looking at whether this exemption can be extended to large companies. The budget decisions of Member States on R&D spending an innovation should be taken into account when assessing respect for the Stability Pact.
Setting up European technology platforms, on the lines of those created for aeronautics and rail technology. The Commissioner pledged to create new platforms this year on hydrogen, photovoltaic energy and nanotechnology.
Developing proposals on the careers of researchers to attract and maintain European excellence and address the growing human resource needs faced by European R&D. The Commission will unveil regulations to facilitate the entry and residence in Europe of foreign scientists.
Developing European guidelines for the management and exploitation of intellectual property rights in public research institutions and public-private partnerships to strengthen public and private sector links.
Improving the range and effectiveness of fiscal measures to encourage increased investment in R&D.
Improving access to capital, in particular risk and venture capital, and guarantee schemed, especially for innovative SMEs.
Improving the coordination and effectiveness of research funding at EU level (the EU Research Framework Programme, the EUREKA programme, Structural Funds, EIB, EIF and EBRD schemes).