EBN Chief Executive Officer Philippe Vanrie and AIRR Executive Director Ivan Bortnik subscribed their names to a document. The Agreement was signed within the framework of the First Meeting of AIRR Committee Chairmen, held under the auspices of Chairman of the Association Board Rustam Minnikhanov on the 25th of April, 2012.
The EBN Delegation arrived in the Republic of Tatarstan on the initiative and with the support of Technopark “Idea” with a view of personal acquaintance with Technopark’s activity, participation in the VII Kazan Venture Fair and Investment Platform of the Association of Innovative Regions of Russia.
The delegation was consisted of: Chief Executive Officer of the European Business and Innovation Centre Network Philippe Vanrie, Deputy Director of Wallonia State Agency for Foreign Affairs Chantal De Blue, Pro-rector of University of East London John Jophin, Provost for International Cooperation, Lappeenranta University of Technology (Finland) Minna Martikainen and Director of Lappeenranta Agency for Business and Innovation Development Markus Lankinen.
European experts took part in a Round table discussion titled “Challenge for new programs in the innovation and regional clusters” within the VII KazanVenture Fair, the moderator of which was General Director of Technopark “Idea” Sergey Yushko.
The discussion included the issues of the best European practices, strategies and mechanisms for the development of innovation infrastructure, interaction of large and small businesses in the sphere of innovation and creation of jobs at innovation enterprises.
Also the guests met with the President of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov during their visit to Tatarstan.
Philippe Vanrie said that he and his colleagues were impressed by what they had seen in Tatarstan. According to EBN CEO, he read a lot about Technopark “Idea”, but the reality exceeded all his expectations. He was also pleased to hear the session of chairmen of committees of the Association of Innovative Regions of Russia . As explained by Philippe Vanrie, the organization can contribute significantly to innovation development of the country.
Philippe Vanrie informed that EBN is engaged in accreditation of innovation and business centers in Europe presenting a single system of assessment and classification. The network comprises 200 accredited innovation centers in Europe, but Technopark “Idea” is the only member of EBN among Russian technoparks.
The III Russian-Europe Innovation Forum that will be held in June in Finnish city Lappeenranta within the limits of the 21st Annual EBN Congress is meant to establish closer interaction among European and Russian innovation centers. The delegation of Tatarstan is invited to this Forum as well. According to Philippe Vanrie, participation in this event – an excellent opportunity for Tatarstan to strengthen relations with leading European companies. For its part, EBN CEO has promised to organize a presentation of the Republic capabilities within the framework of the Forum.
“Indeed, we need the opportunities that you have”, - addressed RustamMinnikhanov to Philippe Vanrie. – We will be very glad to tell you about our potential and about the Association of Innovative Regions of Russia”.
Rustam Minnikhanov has promised that the Delegation will include not only representatives of the innovation industry and also representatives of science. “I think it will be very effective event”, - stated the President of Tatarstan.
“Today’s meeting and the agreement signed by you and AIRR are of great importance. We are moving forward and understand that we must not “stew in our own juice”, we need for external contacts”, - said Rustam Minnikhanov.