site.btaBulgaria Strives to Be Part of Moderate Innovators Group in EU - Economy Minister Loukarski

Bulgaria Strives to Be Part of  Moderate Innovators Group in EU - Economy Minister Loukarski

Sofia, July 16 (BTA) - Economy Minister Bozhidar Loukarski said
during a Thursday Bulgarian-Israeli innovations forum that
Bulgaria's strategic goal is to make a qualitative leap in its
innovations performance in the EU by 2020, and move up to the so
 called moderate innovators group from the modest innovators,
where it currently stands. Loukarski noted that
Bulgarian-Israeli cooperation in innovations will seriously
contribute to these efforts.

Israel's Ambassador here Shaul Kamisa Raz noted that innovations
 are a strategic instrument for every nation that wants to
develop and prosper economically. According to him, Bulgaria has
 huge potential on the path of innovations.

Loukarski pointed out the State's political will to stimulate
innovations and create a sustainable environment for their
development. He recalled that the interaction between science
and businesses is important for the development of innovations
and achieving economic growth, noting that the Sofia Tech Park
project will provide a scientific infrastructure of over 20
million leva to assist Bulgarian innovative businesses.

The Economy Ministry is developing an Innovation Strategy for
Smart Specialisation, as well as a legal framework for the
sector. Work is underway on improving SMEs' access to financing
by developing financial engineering tools. The new OP
Innovations and Competitiveness also includes stimuli for
investing in research and  development.