S&T Country Report - Albania - WBC-INCO Net

sector in the Republic of Croatia, upon which the speedy development and qualitative
changes enabling the transformation of Croatia into a society of knowledge are
based.
The main challenge of science policy is to stimulate scientific excellence and enable
the transfer of knowledge and results of scientific discoveries to industry and
business in order to increase competitiveness and generate sustainable growth and
productivity. In order to meet these requirements, the following key objectives of the
science policy are identified:
- Increase funding for excellent science and technology champions - in order to
meet the "3% of GDP for research investment" as laid out in the Lisbon
Strategy of the EU to promote economic growth and job creation;
- Restructure publicly-funded research institutes and R&D centres - in order to
re-orient their research towards national priority areas and industry needs;
- Encourage research partnerships and strengthen support schemes for quality
young researchers - in order to facilitate mobility, interdisciplinary and crosssector
cooperation, and build a more flexible research and education system;
- Invest in science research infrastructure and knowledge transfer institutions -
in order to build research capacity and provide access to business solutions;
- Introduce measures to promote commercialization of academic research - in
order to encourage universities and research institutions to work more closely
and effectively with business;
- Introduce measures to promote technological development and innovation - in
order to attract people and capital into innovative business ventures; and
- Administer stimulatory and business-friendly legislation - including appropriate
intellectual property laws and tax incentives for investment into priority area
R&D in order to build a system that encourages innovation.
- ‘Development strategy of the Republic of Croatia (Croatia in the 21st Century-
Science)’
In June 2000, the Government of Croatia initiated a comprehensive project on
strategy development of Croatia entitled "Croatia in the Twenty-First Century". A
range of 19 separately elaborated and interrelated strategies have been formulated,
including the strategy for science. "Croatia in the 21st Century- Science" is available
only in Croatian language.
- ‘Croatia’s Strategic Development Framework for 2006 - 2013’
This integrated document sets the targets for Croatia in the next few years. A variety
of policies are called for, involving the competence of different ministries and state
bodies. A new role is defined for the state as facilitator of the growth process, through
constant dialogue with the private sector and the social parties. Although the strategy
is long-term, it is coupled with precise yearly SME action plans that include concrete
actions and the assignment of funds, as well as the organizations in charge.
page 8/HRV