Innovation through clustering
The Nation (19 October 2007)
The Industry Ministry of France has promoted its competitiveness clusters in Thailand in order to boost collaboration in terms of innovation and business between Thai and French operators.
During his visit to Bangkok, Alain Griot, head of the Technological Partnership Department and the Innovation and Competitiveness Department, said foreign companies joining these clusters would be able to improve their innovation efficiency and create more value-added products. "Our main goal in setting up these clusters is to encourage companies to build collaborative innovation projects, not to support commercial activities for our members," Griot said. The French government has already set up 71 clusters, which include emerging technological sectors such as nanotechnology, biotechnology and microelectronics, traditional industries and agricultural sectors. The government gives support not only to large companies but also small and medium-sized enterprises. For example, there are 46 funded projects in the biotechnological sector, of which 27 are by small and medium-sized operators. "We try to convince foreign firms to take part in these clusters and they will be granted the same benefits as we give to French companies," Griot said. The government also gives favourable tax treatment to young innovative enterprises which start operation in less than eight years and spend at least 15 percent of total income on research and development. They must be qualified as SMEs in the European Commission sense, meaning they must have no more than 250 employees, their turnover rate must be less than 40 million euros (Bt1.8 billion) and their assets must be worth less than 27 million euros. Griot said the government had announced an increase in its spending on research and development by 2010 from 2.2 percent of the country's gross domestic product to 3 percent. He said the government approved 1.5 billion euros to support projects in the clusters and promote industrial R&D during 2006-2008. However, the clusters are financed by the government, local authorities and members. He said operating costs for the clusters were worth between 250,000 euros to 700,000 euros per annum, depending on the size of the grouping.
The Nation (19 October 2007)
The Industry Ministry of France has promoted its competitiveness clusters in Thailand in order to boost collaboration in terms of innovation and business between Thai and French operators.
During his visit to Bangkok, Alain Griot, head of the Technological Partnership Department and the Innovation and Competitiveness Department, said foreign companies joining these clusters would be able to improve their innovation efficiency and create more value-added products. "Our main goal in setting up these clusters is to encourage companies to build collaborative innovation projects, not to support commercial activities for our members," Griot said. The French government has already set up 71 clusters, which include emerging technological sectors such as nanotechnology, biotechnology and microelectronics, traditional industries and agricultural sectors. The government gives support not only to large companies but also small and medium-sized enterprises. For example, there are 46 funded projects in the biotechnological sector, of which 27 are by small and medium-sized operators. "We try to convince foreign firms to take part in these clusters and they will be granted the same benefits as we give to French companies," Griot said. The government also gives favourable tax treatment to young innovative enterprises which start operation in less than eight years and spend at least 15 percent of total income on research and development. They must be qualified as SMEs in the European Commission sense, meaning they must have no more than 250 employees, their turnover rate must be less than 40 million euros (Bt1.8 billion) and their assets must be worth less than 27 million euros. Griot said the government had announced an increase in its spending on research and development by 2010 from 2.2 percent of the country's gross domestic product to 3 percent. He said the government approved 1.5 billion euros to support projects in the clusters and promote industrial R&D during 2006-2008. However, the clusters are financed by the government, local authorities and members. He said operating costs for the clusters were worth between 250,000 euros to 700,000 euros per annum, depending on the size of the grouping.
No comments:
Post a Comment