East German regions see creation of 48 new innovative enterprises

Brussels, 16 May 2003

Some 48 new enterprises have been established in the East German regions since 2000, and the German government believes that it's innovation support programme, 'InnoRegio', is responsible.

'The BMBF (Federal Ministry for Education and Research) support programme InnoRegio leads to the settling and establishment of innovative enterprises and thus creates new jobs in the East German regions,' said Parliamentary State Secretary Christoph Matschie on 15 May.

'The figure of 48 newly created businesses speaks for itself. InnoRegio has motivated many in the new Länder to take the future of their region into their own hands,' Mr Matschie continued.

Research institutes, businesses and administrative bodies are working together to create a concept of innovation in 23 regions. The ministry has so far given funding amounting to over 110 million euro to almost 500 projects. The funding also succeeded in mobilising 50 million euro of private capital. More than half of the funding went to small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs).

The InnoRegio programme was launched in 1999 with the aim of supporting the East German Länder. From 444 applicants, 23 regions were selected for support.

For further information on InnoRegio, please consult the following web address:
http://www.innoregio.de

CORDIS RTD-NEWS / © European Communities