Senior Advisor of the European Business and Innovative Centre Network (EBN) Mr. Jacques Pronk visited the Republic of Tatarstan on 16-18th February, 2010.

Mr. Jacques Pronk’s visit was devoted to a detailed analysis of the activity of Technopark “Idea”, assessing its innovative infrastructure, the services delivered to small-size enterprises and start-up companies, the programs and events held by Technopark “Idea”, its cooperation with state authorities, ministries, institutions of higher education, scientific institutions, and Russian and foreign partners.

After Mr.Pronk’s analysis and report the EBN Expert Quality Committee will decide about the entry of Technopark "Idea" as a full member of EBN. With a positive decision this means that Technopark "Idea" will become a business-innovative center, accredited by the European Commission, and is able to operate under the brand of EC-BIC (European Community Business and Innovation Centre).

We would remind you that as the result of first analysis of Technopark "Idea" activities the EBN Board of Directors accepted Technopark "Idea" as an EBN associated member on April 29, 2009.

Besides, during this business visit Mr. Jacques Pronk met with the Prime Minister of Tatarstan Republic Mr. Rustam Minnikhanov. Mr. Minnikhanov confirmed the interest of Tatarstan in Technopark "Idea" becoming a full member of EBN. He reminded that Technopark “Idea” was one of the first innovative centers not only in Tatarstan, but in Russia as the whole, and serves as a model for the creation of such innovation infrastructures in other regions.

“Nowadays Tatarstan is deeply involved in the creation of the innovative infrastructure and related business development”, - said Mr. Rustam Minnikhanov. According to him, the further development and further growth in this matter is enhanced by the entry of “Idea” in the European Business and Innovative Centre Network. “This will enable us to move to a new level of development, - said the Prime-Minister of Tatarstan. – You will find a reliable business partner in Tatarstan, in turn”.

During the meeting, Mr. Jacques Pronk said, that the partnership with EBN will provide the Republic of Tatarstan with the opportunity to enter into its global business network of 170 centers in the European Union and neighbouring regions with connections globally. It will permit to address issues like benchmarking and standardization, service quality, interaction with new foreign partners and project-cooperation.

The General-Director of Technopark “Idea” Mr. Sergey Yushko explained the forthcoming proposal to hold the EBN Annual Congress/Annual Assembly in Kazan in 2012 (on the eve of the
Universiade-2013).

Acquainting himself with the innovative infrastructure of the Republic ofTatarstan Mr. Jacques Pronk also visited the Technopolis "Himgrad", met with representatives of the Investment and Venture Fund of Tatarstan Republic and the National Foundation for Assistance to Small Innovative Enterprises.

In order to familiarize with the Republic’s economic potential and the most important innovative projects implemented in Tatarstan, Mr. Jacques Pronk met also with the Minister of Economy, Mr.Marat Safiullin.

EBN background:

The European Business and Innovative Centre Network (EBN) includes more than 200 business-innovation centers and associated members with many partnerships with major international companies, research institutions and financial players all over Europe. EBN is the leading European BIC network.

EBN was established in 1984 with the support of the European Commission and leading industrial companies. With its main focus on the European Union it has also seen members coming on board from North-Africa, the Middle East and Latin-America to name some examples.

Located in Brussels, the EBN-team stimulates the networking between its members, organizes seminars and workshops, is active in bringing the BICs together in projects related to incubation, innovation and internationalization, maintains the contacts with the EU and is performing the quality control of EC-BICs. The main mission of EC-BICs is the support of innovative start-up companies and growth oriented existing enterprises.