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15/02/2011 - Brussels, Belgium
EU-Japan Clusters Policies towards SMEsâ Innovation (Seminar)
Location: Brussels â Belgium
Venue: European Commission â Borschette Centre
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Participation: Free (pre-registration required)
Language: English
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On Tuesday, 15 February 2011, the EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation organised a seminar, at the European Commission in Brussels, on âEU-Japan Clusters Policies Towards SMEsâ Innovationâ. The Seminar began with an opening speech from Ayako KAWAMURA (Director, EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation) and an introduction to the main issues by Christian SAUBLENS (Managing Director, EURADA and the Seminar Chairman).
The first session addressed European Commission public initiatives for SMEs and cluster cooperation and featured two speakers from the Enterprise and Industry Directorate-General. Nikos PANTALOS (Support for Innovation Unit) explained the main principles on which EU support is based, outlined various initiatives to support cluster development, and announced that a new European Commission Communication on clusters is planned. Silviu JORA (Policy Officer, Policy Development for Industrial Innovation Unit) noted that because EU and Japanese policy-makers see âinnovationâ and âinternationalisationâ as key issues in their growth strategies there is room for cooperation and parallels can be drawn between the EUâs â2020â initiative and Japanâs âNew Growth Strategyâ. Because EU innovation levels vary considerably between countries, it is not possible to have a comprehensive policy â instead a mix of demand and supply measures is used. The âInnovation Unionâ and international cooperation are complementary and are intended to overcome innovation âbottlenecksâ. Stronger coordination (such as via the Enterprise Europe Network) between the European Commission and the Member-States is needed.
The second session was devoted to Japanese public initiatives for SMEs and cluster cooperation. Yuji HOSOYA (Senior Analyst, METI) explained why Japan had adopted a policy on industrial clusters and how its âIndustrial Cluster Programâ worked and had been adapted. Now, there are bottom-up and top-down initiatives taken to promote clusters and examples of inter-cluster cooperation with foreign clusters in Europe and Oceania. Global niche top companies (âGNTsâ) have an important role to play but can often be âhidden championsâ and so are not easily identifiable but should be supported. Yoichi IIDA (Chief Representative, NEDOâs Representative Office in Europe) explained that although NEDO is not responsible for Japanâs cluster policies, clusters policy overlaps with NEDOâs support for R&D activities and promotion of industry-academia-government cooperation. âStrategic technology roadmapsâ are used and are revised annually allowing NEDO to accelerate, maintain or terminate its support for a project. NEDO provides support services to raise participation levels by SMEs. NEDO collaborates with various foreign partners including the European Commission and Member-State organisations.
The third session focused on European Commission public initiatives for SMEs and cluster cooperation and featured speakers from the Commissionâs Research Directorate-General. Although research-intensive SMEs had been categorised into R&D performing vs. R&D outsourcing types, Bernd REICHERT (Head of Unit, SMEs Unit) admitted that this division was artificial. SMEs tend to innovate through collaboration, not alone. There is a clear relationship between internationalisation and innovation. SMEs take part in the EUâs Framework Programmes for different reasons. The form of innovation has altered over time. Clusters are not the innovation system but are certainly a useful means in helping SMEs cooperate on a broader field. Stefan WEIERS (Programme Cooordinator, âRegions of Knowledgeâ) explained that the âRegions of Knowledgeâ programme aims to harness research and technological development (RTD) for regional economic development. Research intensive clusters are very important. The Regions of Knowledge programme has addressed different themes each year. Its last call for proposals was worth âŹ18.66m. Greater participation by Japanese partners would be welcome.
The fourth session looked at two case studies involving EU and Japanese clusters. Geoffroy TRINH (Regional Representative, VitagoraÂź cluster in Asia) presented the experiences of the Vitagora cluster. French clusters are based on a strong collaborative approach and can attract funding from many sources. Young clustersâ lack of international experience can create problems. Cluster cooperation is mutually beneficial for the clusters involved. His cluster has partners in various countries. Since its first visit to Japan in 2007, although its relations with Japan have strengthened and are delivering benefits, challenges remain. StĂ©phan VERIN (International Executive Officer, UP-tex competitiveness cluster) explained that advanced materials based on textiles have a wide range of applications. UP-tex promotes research and innovation and collaborative efforts at cross-border, European and global levels. Its activities in Japan are important, beneficial and are supported by the French Government.
The final session consisted of the signature of an MoU between ZENIT GmbH and the EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation to place EU-Japan cluster cooperation on a more institutionalised approach and of a presentation of the European Cluster Collaboration Platform by Juan CARMONA-SCHNEIDER (Senior Consultant / Senior Project Manager, ZENIT GmbH) during which he encouraged participants to promote their projects, seek partners and raise awareness of their activities via www.clustercollaboration.eu.
The Seminar was attended by more than 40 people (mainly from SMEs and cluster organisations). Points raised during the general discussion included the risks that international cooperation can result in unintentional technology transfer; how potential SME partners can best be identified; the importance of âopen innovationâ; levels of Japanese involvement in projects in Europe and that 100% funding would be more likely to attract SMEs than the current partial project funding that is available.
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