Tatarstan intends getting the status of full partner of European Business and Innovation Centre Network (EBN) for technopark “Idea”

RT Prime Minister Rustam Minnikhanov held meeting with senior consultant of European Business and Innovation Centre Network (EBN) Mr Jacque Pronk. They told about possibility of entering JSC “Innovation-production technopark Idea” into European Business and Innovation Centre Network (EBN) as a full member.

We remind that on April, 2009 Directors Board of EBN made decision on inclusion of technopark “Idea” in EBN as associate member. Currently management of technopark “Idea” carries on works on in this area.

Visit of senior consultant of EBN Mr Jacque Pronk is devoted to detailed studying of technopark “Idea”, review and assessment of its infrastructure and services rendered for small enterprises.

Moreover, Mr Pronk has also got acquainted with activity of such innovative and business sites as “Himgrad”, IT park, Small and Middle-size Enterprises Development Committee of the Republic of Tatarstan.

Rustam Minnikhanov said that Republic is interested in getting the status of full member of EBN for technopark “Idea”. He reminded that it was one of the first innovative sites not only in Tatarstan but in Russia as well. Lately, Tatarstan has been paying much attention to creation of innovative infrastructure and development of entrepreneurship. He considers that further development is possible only if entering into European Business and Innovation Centre Network.

Mr Jacque Pronk stressed that partnership in EBN will make possible the integration into world network with 170 centres in USA, the near East and Europe and will let to resolve issues of standartization, quality of services and interaction with new partners.

Director General of technopark “Idea” Sergey Yushko emphasized that status of full partner will let making proposal on holding Directors board of EBN in Kazan in 2012 (on threshold of Universiade 2013).

Rustam Minnikhanov charged Minister of economy Marat Safiullin with presenting economic potential of Republic to Mr Pronk and the most significant innovative projects which are being realized in Tatarstan. Senior consultant of EBN Mr Jacque Pronk will stay in Kazan till February,18.

For information:

More than 200 business innovative centres, business incubators and venture centres are present in European Business and Innovation Centre Network (EBN). It is a leading European network founded in 1984 with support of European commission and major industrial companies of Europe.

Being located in Brussels EBN is a team, which coordinates activity of member enterprises. Among its key tasks is support of centres - member of network and management of programs implemented under the auspices of EBN. The goal of EBN is increasing the number of business-innovative centres (BIC) in Europe and outside. BIC is aimed at supporting starting companies and small enterprises.