European Science and Research Commissioner Janez Potocnik has urged Slovenian managers to invest more in science and research, saying Europe needs innovation and entrepreneurs who would up the currently low level of investment in R&D.
Slovenia earmarks between 1.5 and 1.6% of its GDP for science and research, which places the country just below the EU average, Potocnik told a panel in Maribor on Friday, organised as part of the Manager Association meeting.
Potocnik said more attention should be paid to the issue, in particular as Europe's rivals, the US and Japan, invest much more in R&D while emerging economies such as China, India and Brazil could soon catch up with Europe given their growth rates.
The Slovenian commissioner as well as other panelists agreed on the need for tighter cooperation between business and academic sectors. He briefed the managers on national reform programmes designed by the European Commission to bring Europe out of the "limbo".
The Commission is expecting reports from member states so as to issue a report on their progress on 12 December. At the same time it is expected to make recommendations for each individual country, which Potocnik believes could put some countries in a bad mood.
Potocnik encouraged Slovenia to make use of structural and cohesion funds, not just for road and other infrastructure but also for knowhow.
Referring to insufficient cooperation between companies and the academic sphere, Franjo Bobinac, the CEO of Gorenje, said he would wish the company not only manufactured the best household appliances, but also created new needs for consumers.
This is the sense of being innovative, Bobinac said, adding that Gorenje was having great expectations about its "smart table", a combination of a kitchen table and fridge.
Like Gorenje, Trimo Trebnje, the prefabricated constructions maker, takes customers' needs into account when developing a product. Moreover, Trimo Trebnje CEO Tatjana Fink believes innovation should be looked for with individuals.
Yet she also believes that the education system in Slovenia has failed to give young people the sufficient chance to develop their creative potential.
Hugo P. Tschirky of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology proposed Slovenian companies should set up a group of innovative companies to look for modern innovative practices so as to contribute to more innovations.
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