Greek innovation receives further boost from Commission funds
The promotion of Greek innovation and research will be supported by 12 more Community Support Framework (CSF) agreements signed by Regional Development Commissioner, Michel Barnier, on 10 April. The total amount of Community funding committed by these approvals is nearly 6.4 billion euro for the period 2000 to 2006. Among the regions to benefit from the CSF is the Western Greece region, which is to receive 781.7 million euro. 'I am delighted that the Commission is contributing towards developing a region which has clear potential as regards new technologies, thanks in particular to Patras University's dynamism in that field,' said Commissioner Barnier when presenting the decision. Assistance to the business sector in various regions will centre on productive investment and will be accompanied by measures to stimulate cross-fertilisation of innovation and entrepreneurship in the sectors of the new economy. In the Thessaly region, the programme aims to create 3,400 jobs, benefit 150 small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) through actions related to innovation and research and encourage the establishment of businesses in technology parks and organised industrial areas. It is also hoped that reinforcing the use of new technologies and the information society will help to overcome the isolation experienced some of the remotest regions.
Countries
Greece