Stenbock House, 28 January 2019
At today’s meeting, the Economic Development Committee of the government expressed their support for the societal agreement to enhance research and development as well as innovation and invest additional finances in research and development in 2020–2022. A significant proportion of the funding would be used to advance measures for encouraging enterprises to improve their research, development and innovation.
“Investing additional funds to encourage enterprises to enhance research and development will help to improve certain areas that are currently disadvantaged. We must also bear in mind the needs of research institutions, because high-level research is the basis for high-quality higher education. This will also directly affect the future progress of our enterprises,” said Prime Minister Jüri Ratas, head of the Economic Development Committee.
The Economic Development Committee of the government also discussed the distribution of the resources in detail, assigning a certain proportion for research institutions and some funding for research and development. Regional research and development will also receive some resources, which would, among other things, help to improve policy-making.
Rene Tammist, Minister of Entrepreneurship and Information Technology and member of the Committee, added that an increase in productivity and, inevitably, the societal wealth of Estonia depends on whether or not our enterprises are capable of climbing the global value chains. “We will reach the next step by being more knowledgeable, evolving our products, renewing companies, and recruiting top specialists,” Tammist said, adding that such objectives require a suitable environment and shared risk-management – ultimately, an increased contribution by the state.
On 19 December 2018, heads of Estonian political parties and representatives of research institutions, scientists, and major enterprises signed a societal agreement in the presence of the President of the Republic of Estonia for enhancing research, development, and innovation. Pursuant to the agreement, all parties will support increasing public sector financing for research, development, and innovation to 1% of the gross domestic product. The 2019 state budget strategy allocates reaching the goal by contributing equal amounts of funding over the next three years.
The Committee also received an overview on the results of the Estonian business diplomacy strategy and the respective action plan for 2019.
Background
- The Economic Development Committee of the government, led by the prime minister, assembles once a month to have an overview on the economic situation, find solutions to issues that require coordination between ministries, involve experts and stakeholders, and engage in the development of the economic environment.
- The Economic Development Committee comprises Kadri Simson, Minister of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure; Rene Tammist, Minister of Entrepreneurship and Information Technology; Mailis Reps, Minister of Education and Research; Urmas Reinsalu, Minister of Justice; Toomas Tõniste, Minister of Finance; Riina Sikkut, Minister of Health and Labour; and Sven Mikser, Minister of Foreign Affairs. The Committee is managed by Prime Minister Jüri Ratas.
- Other ministers will attend the committee meetings at the invitation of the prime minister if the subject matter requires the presence of a responsible minister.
- The work of the Committee is supported by the Strategy Unit of the Government Office.