The 162nd Session of the Conference of Presidents of Research Centers and Technological Agencies was held today.

The Minister of Development, Takis Theodorikakosparticipated in the Meeting and reported the following:

“From the first moment of assuming my new duties as Minister of Development, I spoke about the planning and implementation of a new production model that our country needs in order to become even more attractive for investments, more competitive and creative, more resistant to international challenges and safer.

Our central political priority is the creation of new, quality and better-paid jobs, so that no citizen feels the need to seek a better future away from Greece. Unemployment has fallen from 17% to 9.5% over the past five years. We want our young men and women, the brilliant minds of our country and our excellent scientific staff to be able to stay and realize their vision here, to create their family here. We invest in highly skilled human capital and turn brain drain into brain gain.

In the “Research – Innovate” program of the “Competitiveness” Program, which is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund of the E.U. in the framework of the NSRF 2021-2027, 427 proposals were submitted by 565 companies with a total budget of 237.3 million euros.

The General Secretariat for Research and Innovation supervises eleven research bodies, of which nine are research centers and two are research institutes, with staff for 2024 reaching 1,900 employees. It still has three technological agencies under its supervision, as well as Elevate Greece and EL.ID.EK.

So far – through the Recovery Fund – 114 million euros have been given to modernize the building infrastructure and equipment of the research centers, but also to strengthen basic and applied research.

Research and innovation are of vital importance for the Greek economy, as through the connection with the real economy they can
contribute to the development, competitiveness and adaptability of the country in a constantly changing global economic environment.

They are also a central pillar for the competitiveness of businesses. Greek businesses that invest in new technologies, products and processes can differentiate themselves in the domestic and international market. This makes them more resilient and successful in the challenges they face.

They promote the development of high-tech and innovative sectors, such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and renewable energy. These industries can contribute to GDP growth and provide well-paid, highly skilled jobs. They help to strengthen structural reforms. Through the use of advanced technologies and the development of innovative solutions, the State can improve the efficiency of the public sector and reduce bureaucracy, making the economy more functional.

They act as a magnet for foreign investment. High-tech companies and investors prefer countries that promote innovation and offer a favorable environment for the development of new technologies. Greece today has the potential to play an important role in the map of innovation even outside the narrow borders of our homeland. For more safety, well-being and a better quality of life. For a better future”.

The Deputy Minister of Development, Zoe Rapti, also participated in the meeting, who emphasized: “The government attaches particular importance to the strengthening of Research and Innovation and its connection with the market and entrepreneurship. It utilizes all available European resources to strengthen research centers and technological bodies. Research and Innovation is a key pillar in the country’s new development model and our research centers have a key role in this. As of today, we are officially launching a dialogue that we have unofficially already started. The dialogue with the State is a self-evident condition in order to achieve tangible results in the field of Research and Innovation”.

The Secretary General of Research and Innovation, Mr. Tasos Gaitanis, stated that:

“We are in a period when the issues of research and innovation, at the European level, are at the forefront. As a country, we have made significant strides, but we still have more to do. With the Presidents of our research centers we have started an intensive
cooperation to provide solutions to all issues. Our aim is to take our country even further forward, for the benefit of both the scientific community and our society”.