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ERDF083 – Manufacturing Research ERDF083 – Manufacturing Research PlatformPlatformNational Strategy for Research in National Strategy for Research in ManufacturingManufacturing

0606thth June 2012 June 2012 Eric FlaskDirector, National Funding Malta Council for Science &

Technology

Operational Programme I – Cohesion Policy 2007-2013Investing in Competitiveness for a Better Quality of Life

Project part-financed by the European UnionEuropean Regional Development Fund (ERDF)

Co-financing rate: 85% EU funds; 15% National FundsInvesting in your future

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Outline

• Manufacturing Research Strategy– Strategy Roadmap– SWOT Summary– Mission Statement– Strategic Objectives Roadmap– Key Pillar Objectives– Proposed Technology Platforms– Proposed Industry Sectors– Direction for Development at a National Level– Direction for Development at a Sectoral Level

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Strategy Roadmap

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Manufacturing Industry Today

Eroding Competitiveness

Declining Profits

Reduction in overall turnover

Lower levels of employment

High Level of Exports mainly through FDIs

Progressive movement towards High Value Added Activitie

s

Low labour cost reliance replaced

by high tech industries growth

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Strengths

• Geographical Factors including climate and strategic location

• Presence of an established FDI to enable technology Transfer

• High Intensity of recently developed R&D Incentives

• Strong ICT Infrastructure

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Weaknesses

• Limited collaboration efforts between Industry and Academia

• Low levels of retention of professional researchers

• Absence of Venture Capital and Business Angel Financing

• Absence of appropriate infrastructures and incentives to encourage their development

• Lack of appropriate IPR Framework

• Lack of trust and cooperation amongst SMEs operating in the same sector

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Opportunities

• Increased emphasis on sustained growth and R&D activities in the field of Renewable Energy

• Development of a European Strategy Forum for enhancing the creation of Research Infrastructures across Europe

• Commitment by National Government towards Vision 2015 seeking to develop Malta as a Centre of Excellence in Advanced Manufacturing Services

• High Growth Potential in a number of technologies relevant to Manufacturing including advanced materials, new production technologies and nano-technology

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Threats

• International Economic Crisis wiping out investor confidence and reducing FDI investment on a Global Scale

• Overall reduction in innovation intensity in Europe and decline in manufacturing industry

• Decline in the availability of Venture Capital Investment and other forms of equity financing

• Growing trend by manufacturing companies to relocate operations in other lower cost destinations

• Rise of China and India as low cost destinations depleting significant FDI in Europe

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Mission Statement

Excellent

Excellent

Leading

Leading

Flexible

Flexible

Collaborativ

e

Collaborativ

e

Innovative

Innovative

Creative

Creative

Knowledgeable

Knowledgeable

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Strategic Objectives Roadmap

CSFs

New Entities

Private Investment

Creation of Value Added

Development of Prototype Initiatives

Highly Qualified Workforce Finance and Support Linkages and Partnerships

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Key Pillar Objectives

• Highly Qualified Workforce specialised in targeted S&T Fields for the Manufacturing Industry

– Undergraduate, Post Graduate and Doctoral S&T Students

• Appropriate Research Infrastructures to encourage growth or R&D activities in the Manufacturing Industry

– Development of Science Parks to host internationally accredited labs, academia, test factories and R&D centres

– Increase Number of Patent Registrations and Patent Revenue

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Key Pillar Objectives cont

• Finance & Support

– Public and Business R&D&I Spending in Manufacturing

– EU funds to partly finance development of Research Infrastructures

– Availability of Venture Capital and Business Angel Financing

• Linkages and Partnerships

– Appropriate PPP for development of Science Parks

– Appropriate industry academia collaboration on R&D initiatives in Manufacturing

– Innovation collaboration between SMEs and FDIs in the Manufacturing Industry in Malta

– Number of public/private co-publications in the manufacturing sector

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Proposed Technology Platforms

(Preference, Acceptance & Needs)

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Proposed Industry Sectors

• Electronics

• Pharmaceuticals

• Food, Beverage & Tobacco

• Medical, Precision & Optical Equipment

• Rubber & Plastics

• Renewable Energy

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Linking Technology Platforms to Industry Sectors

ElectronicsPharmaceu

-ticalsMedical

EquipmentRenewable

EnergyRubber & Plastics

Food & Beverage

Preference, Acceptance and Needs Project

√

Advanced Engineering Materials

√ √ √ √

Photovoltaics & Photonics √

Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals √ √ √ √ √ √

Nano-Medicine √ √

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Direction for Development at a National Level

• National Culture and Education

• Development of Partnerships and Linkages

• Development of Human Resources Skill Base

• Exploitation of Research Infrastructures

• Embarking on Project Based Initiatives

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Direction for Development at a Sectoral Level• Product and Process Innovation

– Technical Market Studies

– Sectoral Competitive Calls

• Test Bed Initiatives– Innovation Villages (e.g. Green Villages)

– Thematic Pharma Clinical Island

– International Food & Beverage Showcase

– Test Factory Mark

• R&D Government Structures– Development of Technology Platforms

– Reinforcement of Funding Unit

– Strengthening of Patent Framework

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Direction for Development at a Sectoral Level• Long Term Research Infrastructure

– Development of a Virtual Network of Shared Research Infrastructures

– Incentive Schemes for the use of shared resources

• Revamping Educational Sector– Malta Government Scholarship Scheme and other

Scholarship funds

– Incentivising Prospective Students

– Work Experience and Study Scheme

• Financing Short Term R&D Initiatives– PAN Research Initiatives

– R&D for ICT Applications for Material Modelling and Production Planning Modelling

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In Summary

Quick WinsQuick Wins

Investment in Long Term Investment in Long Term InfrastructureInfrastructure

• Product / Process Innovation Activities• Testbed Initiatives• Targeted Research Initiatives

• Development of Government Structures• Revamping the Tertiary Education Sector• Development of a Virtual R&D Network• Feasibility Study for R&D Parks

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Thank You

For Further Information Contact:

Eric FlaskDirector, National Funding Unit

Malta Council for Science and TechnologyVilla Bighi, BighiKalkara, KKR1320

Email: eric.flask@gov.mt / rtdi.mcst@gov.mtTel: (356) 2360 2123Fax: (356) 2166 0341 Web: www.mcst.gov.mt