Knowledge-based Estonia

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Next steps and concrete actions from the EU
Accession Country Perspective ESTONIALinnar
Viik
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RD FUNDING

• To increase sharply gross RD expenditure by
  2006 to 1,5 of GDP, making it comparable to EU
  average (1,8 of GDP in 1998)
• To increase in longer run gross RD expenditure
  to the level of neighbouring Scandinavian
  countries. (higher than EU average)

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ESTONIAN RD EXPENDITURE
of GDP
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STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS IN RD FUNDING UNTIL 2006

• Increasing the state financing of RD,
  especially of technological development and
  innovation. The purpose is to achieve financing
  ratio 60 science 40 development.(the ratio now
  is 9010)
• Growth in the importance of private and foreign
  capital financing. The purpose is to achieve a
  situation where private sector expenditure on RD
  exceeds public sector expenditure by 2010.
• Assuring the effectiveness and transparency of
  use and socio-economic results from the state
  funds by improving their management.

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PUBLIC SECTOR RD INVESTMENTS
of GDP
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DEVELOPMENT OF HUMAN CAPITAL

• Developing the vocational training system in
  co-operation with the state, enterprises and
  associations. The priorities are engineers and
  technical specialists.
• Increasing state financing of post-graduate
  studies in key areas and supporting their
  teaching abroad.
• Developing the scheme of including scientists
  with doctors degree (Estonians and foreigners) to
  Estonian research groups.
• To support teaching managerial and
  entrepreneurial skills and knowledge to students
  and scientists in universities.

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Look_at_World PRIVATE INITIATIVE

• In 2001 major finance, telecom and IT companies
  in Estonia started foundation with aims to
  support the continuous growth of Internet
  penetration
• Investment comparable with annual state IT budget
• New dimension in private-public partnership
• Strong human capital development component

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STRENGTHENING UNIVERSITY-INDUSTRY CO-OPERATION

• Supporting the formation and development of
  high-tehc and knowledge intensive spin-off
  companies to stimulate technology transfer.
• Establishing science and technology parks,
  innovation and incubation centres.
• To create the network of centres of excellence
  in research and centres of competence in RD.

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NEW INFRASTRUCTURES

• PKI infrastructure
• Electronic ID Cards distribution started in
  January 2002 and penetration of 60 of population
  will be achieved by end of 2004
• Technology and applications development for both
  private and public sector increased
• Estonian Genome Project
• Mapping nations genome, thus creating adequate
  sample for genome technology product development
• Initial voluntary group sample period by end of
  2002

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INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION

• Taking part in the development of the European
  Research Area and in the principles of the 6th
  Framework program.
• Favouring the participation of Estonian
  enterprises and organisations in European
  programs and organisations (COST, EUREKA, INTAS,
  OECD Science and Technology Committee, UNESCO).
• Creating the network of Estonian science and
  technology attachés in strategically important
  countries.