Report warns red tape will kill ICT research

In a new 5-year assessment report on ICT research, EU member
states are called to cut red tape and increase R&D spending in
order to release Europe’s innovation and growth capacities.

A  report by a high-level independent panel chaired by one of the
authors of the Lisbon strategy and former Portuguese Science
minister, Prof. J.M.Gago, warns that bureaucracy “now threatens to
kill research” in Europe.

Published on 17 January, the report evaluates the effectiveness
of the European Research and Technological Development (RTD)
Programme for Information Society Technologies (IST) during the
past 5 years (1999-2004). It recommends cutting down red tape and
doubling EU funding for research in this sector from one to two
billion euros per year.

“ICT is the essential driver for progress in economic
competitiveness,” Information Society Commissioner Viviane Reding
hammered out at a press briefing on 18 January. “It is the main
sector which has a chance to bring results [for the Lisbon
strategy] even in the short term,” she insisted.

“I intend to respond very quickly to the Panel’s concerns about
red tape which is a general problem of EU Research programmes, but
felt most directly in IST
Research.”

However, she pointed out that ICT policy is “linked very
strongly to regulation” and that the correct policy mix needs to be
found if European companies, especially SMEs, are to reap the
benefits of ICT research.

Indeed, the report found that the current ICT research
instruments “have had the marked effect of excluding SMEs and the
new member states”. Linking regulation, academia and industry
through better communication of research results also appears
essential in this respect.

“I will in the very short term present what ICT research policy
is needed,” Reding said, adding it was “essential to take political
steps”.

The proposal will be part of the Commission’s ‘New Lisbon
Strategy’ due to be unveiled on 2 February, and could include the
creation of a special, independent body for research.

However, the Commission will need to convince member states of
the need to implement the recommendations of the Gago report, not
least when it comes to budgetary matters for the next period
(2007-2013) currently under discussion.

These new proposals will come as a test for the Commission when
it calls on member states to take their responsibilities in
implementing the new Lisbon strategy.

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