Innovation Europe > News > Innovation EU Vol1-1 > Slovenia

Many of the innovation challenges remain relatively stable, but there is a quick reaction time in some areas: the introduction of a tax subsidy for business-sector R&D investment in 2006 and its application in 2007 already resulted in a changed trend in business R&D. There was an increase of 23% of business expenditure on R&D (BERD) in 2006. However, the increased public and private resources need to be used wisely and more efficiently than in the past to overcome the discrepancy between R&D inputs and outputs. Crucial in this respect will be the growth of science and technology graduates. Increased R&D investment spending calls for an efficient support network assisting R&D co-operation between the public sector and enterprises.

Main innovation challenges

• Better exploitation of R&D investment.
• Increase the number of S&T graduates.
• Insufficient specialisation of the innovation support network.

Action

While steps have been taken towards better co-ordination in some areas of public governance, there is still ample room for improvement. More clarity is needed in the area of policy design, where additional attention needs to be given to the horizontal measures, and improved co-ordination should emerge at the level of instruments and support network. With increased public money channelled towards entrepreneurship, competitiveness and research excellence through Structural Funds, good co-ordination and transparency of policies and instruments are key for success.