A visit of the RUSNANO delegation to Finland will take place from February 11 to 13
The delegation of the Russian Nanotechnology Corporation, headed by CEO Anatoly Chubais, will arrive in Finland on a visit at the invitation of the Minister of Employment and Economy of the country Mauri Pekkarinen. The trip will be the first step towards the implementation of the cooperation program for 2009 within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding signed between RUSNANO and the Ministry of Employment and Economy of Finland.
During the visit, the RUSNANO delegation will get acquainted with the Finnish national innovation system, which is currently recognized as one of the most effective in the world.
The delegation will meet with representatives of the National Agency for Technology and Innovation Financing (TEKES), which is a key state organization engaged in the examination and financing of scientific and technological projects, as well as with the leadership of the state investment fund Sitra, specializing in the support of technological start-up companies.
Anatoly Chubais is scheduled to meet with Finnish Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen, Nokia Chairman of the Board of Directors Yorma Ollila, the management of Technopolis and other Finnish structures.
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Today Finland occupies one of the first places in the world ranking of competitiveness of the economies of developed countries. Among the components of Finland's success are: high level of education; low level of bureaucracy and corruption; competitive principle of allocation of funds for science, along with simplicity and transparency of financing mechanisms; support for system-forming industries; developed innovative infrastructure, emphasis on the development of industrial and technological clusters; well-established system of interaction between different departments and organizations, effective public-private partnership in technology transfer and financial risk sharing. Serious attention in Finland is paid to the development of nanotechnology.
The National Agency for Technology and Innovation Financing (TEKES) was established under the Ministry of Industry and Trade (now the Ministry of Labor and Economy). Today it is a key state organization engaged in the examination and financing of scientific and technological projects (60% of funds) and programs (40%). Accumulates about 30% of state funds for the scientific and technical sphere. The annual budget is about 450 million euros. The examination is carried out by internal experts. The staff is about 300 people. (Among the announced technological programs there is a program in the field of nanotechnology – the final stages of development work and the early stages of business). TEKES supports innovative, high-risk projects. Promotes the development of partnerships between public research organizations and private companies. Financing is provided on a competitive basis in the form of grants on co–financing terms - from 35 to 80% (both before the start of work and as compensation for project costs) and loans. Additionally, the agency allocates grants for business development (for example, hiring consultants, developing business plans). Does not practice entering into capital.
State Investment Fund (SITRA). The purpose of the foundation is to give additional stability to the economic development of the country, increase the competitiveness of the national economy, and stimulate innovation processes. One of the fund's tasks is to support technological start-up companies. Among the tools of the fund's work is investing in the capital of companies (with the subsequent sale of its share) and in funds (i.e. acted as a fund of funds). The staff is about 100 people. Together with TEKES, the foundation implemented programs to support new companies (seed service programs).
Portal "Eternal youth" www.vechnayamolodost.ru according to the materials of the RUSNANO press service
10.02.2009