Development Minister Tákis Theodorikakos highlighted the importance of linking research and innovation with production, strengthening small and medium-sized enterprises and creating more, better-paid jobs Tákis Theodorikakos, speaking at the “Bridges of Innovation” event at the Athens Conservatoire.
The event presented a joint initiative by the Ministry of Development and the Attica Region, worth €17m and funded by the “Attica” Regional Programme, to finance partnerships between businesses and research organisations.
Mr Theodorikakos thanked regional governor Nikos Hardalias for their excellent co-operation, stressing that “the Ministry of Development and the Attica Region are united by our shared plan and vision for a more productive, outward-looking and competitive economy, with many more better-paid jobs”.
He said the initiative aims to help small and medium-sized enterprises harness research and innovation, develop new products and services, expand their international reach and enter new markets.
He placed particular emphasis on creating quality jobs for young workers and scientists, so they can “live, work and fulfil their dreams here, in our homeland”.
“The market demands speed, objectivity and transparency”, he continued, highlighting the need for the Ministry of Development’s General Secretariat for Research and Innovation to assess proposals under the new initiative quickly and effectively.
He noted that the Development Law had introduced a system for assessing investment plans within 90 days, stressing that speed and consistency are essential to maintaining market confidence.
He also announced that by the end of the year the Ministry of Development would launch three new schemes under the Development Law for small and medium-sized enterprises, each worth €150m.
They will focus on internationalisation, modern technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, and social entrepreneurship.
Mr Theodorikakos stressed the need to boost productive activity in Greece’s regions, particularly border areas. He said investment and good jobs across the country would also benefit Attica, by helping to curb the concentration of population in the Athens basin and ease pressure on the cost of living.
Finally, he referred to two major research and technology projects inaugurated in recent days: the national supercomputer “Daedalus” in Lavrio and the new “smart” building of “Demokritos”, highlighting the capabilities of both the country and its scientific community.
“We Greeks are capable of achieving great things”, he said.