Keeping Germany competitive: R&D investment, lifelong learning and SMEs
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has outlined what Germany needs to do in order to remain competitive in today's knowledge society. Her priorities include investing 3% of GDP in research and development (R&D), encouraging lifelong learning, attracting more foreign experts, and involving more small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in R&D. Both growth and innovation require the best brains, the Chancellor told participants at the Hanover industry fair on 15 April. 'The Federal Government knows that that we can become more attractive for highly qualified and the most highly qualified foreign specialists. The subject is on the table and being dealt with,' said Ms Merkel. A part of dealing with the issue is modifying aspects of Germany's immigration laws, she said. Germany must also make more of the potential that it already has, said the Chancellor. Work is needed on two different aspects, she said: ensuring that everyone takes part in lifelong learning, and giving young people more chances. 'It cannot be the future of our society that someone at the end of their 30s, or in their early 40s, is not considered suited to a leap in technology. With our demographic development, we cannot afford this. We also cannot afford this in the context of our claim to be 'humane' society. A humane society does not throw young people onto the scrap heap,' said Ms Merkel. A complete change in mentality is needed in order to address this issue, she said, adding that she understands that it can be uncomfortable for those in their 40s or 50s to find themselves at a school desk, or to have their work checked by someone in their 20s. On the other hand, young people must be given more chances, said the Chancellor. And young people must be enthused about technology and a career in technology. Germany must place more emphasis on R&D, as has been done to an extent with the country's 'high-tech strategy', said Ms Merkel. A starting point is R&D investment. The Chancellor is aiming to meet the EU target of investing 3% of GDP in R&D by 2010. She pointed out that this is an ambitious target, particularly as the investment figure gets higher as the economy grows. The Government is trying to get SMEs more involved in research, and to network them with universities and technology colleges, said the Chancellor. Opening the Hanover fair, Ms Merkel promised that participants would, over the next few days, be amazed at how time and time again, companies with interesting and completely new ideas are improving our standard of living, taking new products to the market, and combining their own interests with those of society.
Countries
Germany