Russian-German Innovative Enterprise Forum Begins in St. Petersburg

The fifth German-Russian cooperative forum of innovative enterprises has begun in the Shuvalov Palace of St. Petersburg. This was announced by the head of the Bundesministerium fur Wirtschaft und Technologie (BMWi) (German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology) Dr Rholing.

He announced that the German-Russian cooperative forum of innovative enterprises and firms supplying scientific and technical services will take place in St. Petersburg under the support of the BMWi. There will be discussions on collaboration between small and large innovative firms and science and industry representatives in machine construction, measuring and medical technology, ecology and energy in St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region. 'Business links between the large businesses of our countries have already been well developed for a long time, but it's essential to also develop cooperation between small innovation firms, because those enterprises have the greatest chance of success in the market', said Dr Rholing.

According Dr Rholing, since 1993, under PROINNO (programme for the innovation competence of small and large enterprises), and the programme which preceded it, Investigative Cooperation, financial support was provided to more than 160 German-Russian projects, including 42 projects in which enterprises from St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region took part. 'This year 26 German companies will be taking part in the German-Russian cooperative forum of innovative enterprises taking place in the northern capital, who are ready to sign business agreements with enterprises from St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region', announced Dr Rholing.

PROINNO provides small and large enterprises with support in carrying out innovative work and investigation. The practical fulfilment of the programme will be carried out by AiF, the German Federation of Industrial Cooperative Research Associations "Otto von Guericke".