INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES: FINNISH EXAMPLE IN EUROPEAN RESEARCH AREA.

"TEKES is not working in isolation. Instead it is using resources outside its boundaries, most notably Commission studies, and looking at how to implement them into a national context", according to Kari Tilli. However, while Finland has a good track record in fostering international relations in the fields of research and technology, Dr Tilli argued that there are many challenges facing cooperation and networking between national programmes. In particular, he noted that although there is a well developed culture of networking at research project level, developing this type of cooperation at national programme level proves to be a much more difficult task.

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Tekes, the National Technology Agency is the main public financing and expert organisation for research and technological development in Finland. Its principal mission is to promote the competitiveness of Finnish industry and the service sector. Besides access to funding, TEKES provides advice and co-operation networks between enterprises, research centres and universities in Finland, as well as an international network of technology advisers. The main player in the implementation of national technology policy, TEKES services are available both to Finish enterprises and to foreign enterprises with a manufacturing activity in Finland. Business funding from the enterprise totalled FMK1.5 billion in 1999. SMEs took 53% of this sum (FMK778 million) and their share should increase further. For further information contact: Mrs Paula Nybergh, Ministry of Trade and Industry, tel: +(358) 9 160 3745, e-mail: paula.nybergh@ktm.vn.fi, Internet: http://www.tekes.fi

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Kari Tilli suggested "it is extremely hard work to get a real understanding of the national programmes of other Member States". Indeed part of Finland's success in ICT and other research and technology fields has been the networking between companies and universities at local and national levels. He added that "the creation of such networks at European level is extremely hard because it takes many years to get results".

Another stumbling block is the recognisable differences between national programmes throughout Europe. "I think the most difficult part is to really be aware of other countries' activities and understand what they are thinking, what is the meaning of 'programme' in their countries, and to see who are the most beneficial partners for us", said Mr Tilli.

Some of the steps taken in Finland towards better cooperation...