Presidency Questionnaire on "Investing in research: an action plan for Europe"

Brussels, 09 May 2003

Full text of Document 8655/03
Suite of documents 8655/03

No. Prev. doc.: 8860/03 RECH 75 - COM(2003)226
Subject: Commission Communication - "Investing in research: an action plan for Europe"
- Questionnaire from the Presidency for the "Competitiveness Council on 13 May 2003

Delegations will find attached a set of questions proposed by the presidency to structure the exchange of views on Research and Development investment and the 3% target at the Competitiveness Council on 13 May 2003.

INVESTING IN RESEARCH: AN ACTION PLAN FOR EUROPE

Questionnaire

The Action Plan put forward by the Commission comprises a broad range of actions in research and innovation policies as well as in other policy areas. Many of the actions are geared to making Europe much more attractive for private investment in RTD. The big challenge of the Barcelona objective on RTD is the raising of the business contribution to the Gross Expenditure for R&D from 56% in 1999 to 67% in 2010, while total GERD/GDP will increase from 1,9 to 3%. A few incremental measures will not be sufficient to raise to this challenge; drastic measures requiring strong political commitment are called for by industrial organisations and experts consulted by the Commission. Moreover, nearly all Member States and acceding countries have defined national targets and started to put in place policies and measures in line with the Barcelona objective.

1. To motivate business firms to achieve this prodigious work the governments have to take various measures that may transform the macro- and microenvironment of the enterprises, as described in the Commission`s Communication. In addition, various activities contributing to innovation (i.e. design, patenting, marketing, training, etc) may reorient the strategic behavior of enterprises and increase propensity to RTD spending. Which are the most important among these activities, by productive sector, in your country and how can they be organized to maximize their contribution on RTD spending?

2. Which actions should be addressed in priority at national and at European level? Among the priority actions, for which ones do you expect difficulties in implementing them and why? Are there any other changes with even more radical character, that have not been identified till now and that you wish to raise?

3. How important is the role of regions? Which types of regions are more likely to contribute to the Barcelona objective and which issues are best addressed at their level?

4. Some industrial sectors will contribute more to the Barcelona objectives than others. Do you consider that a change in industrial structure is necessary in your country and that sector- specific measures are needed?

Related item:
EU Action Plan to boost research efforts in Europe

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