Denmark considered 'Innovation Leader' by European Commission
The European Commission assessment has ranked Denmark as one of the few European Innovation Leaders due primarily to the increase in the number of doctorate graduates and international scientific co-publications. It also noted the increase in licence and patent revenues from abroad and public R&D expenditures.
– I find it positive that in this latest annual report, Denmark continues to remain among the group of leading, innovative countries in Europe, says Science Minister Charlotte Sahl-Madsen.
The figures in the 2010 report are based on an amalgamation of annual results between 2006 and 2010. The figures however, do not fully reflect all of the positive effects of increases in public R&D expenditure during 2010. Nor does it provide a thorough image of the expected growth in internal research, development and innovation in Danish businesses as a result of the financial crisis.
– The business community has been faced with new challenges as a result of the financial crisis. In addition to streamlining their work practices, many businesses are focusing on increased research, development and innovation. It bodes well for future innovation in Danish businesses, says Charlotte Sahl-Madsen.
The latest scoreboard figures also show some weaknesses in areas such as access to venture capital and innovation driven by small and medium sized enterprises.
– There are a lot of indicators that Danish businesses are emerging relatively strong from the financial crisis. There are still challenges, but it is worth noting that the study does not fully reflect the initiatives launched by the government in 2010 to improve access to venture capital. I have also assembled an expert working group that will propose how we can quickly and more effectively disseminate knowledge to smaller businesses to stimulate innovation and growth, says Charlotte Sahl-Madsen.
The Innovation Union Scoreboard was developed by the European Commission as a central part of the Lisbon Strategy to strengthen European competitiveness in research and innovation.
The 2010 Scoreboard draws on 25 research and innovation-related indicators and covers the 27 EU Member States, as well as Croatia, Serbia, Turkey, Iceland, Norway and Switzerland.
For further comments from Science Minister Charlotte Sahl-Madsen contact head of communications Anders Frandsen, tel: +45 3048 8450
For further information on the Innovation Union Scoreboard 2010 report contact the Danish Agency for Science, Technology and Innovation, head of section Jan Windmüller, tel: +45 3392 9774 or email: jwi@fi.dk.
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