sectoral cluster development in twente mr. peter den oudsten mayor of enschede october 11th, 2006
TRANSCRIPT
Sectoral Cluster Development
in Twente
Mr. Peter den OudstenMayor of EnschedeOctober 11th, 2006
Region of Twente
Transition to successful and innovative Region• Transformation traditional industries
into high-tech companies– innovative textile products for the aircraft and
aerospace industry.
• 583 spin-off companies University of Twente
• Largest number of patents – per capita in the Netherlands
High-tech spin-offs University of Twente
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
`76 `78 `80 `82 `84 `86 `88 `90 `92 `94 `96 `98 `00 `02 `04
Major challenge Closing the GRP gap
Slower rise regional product than Dutch average
Source: CBS (NL), August 2005
GRP per capita
0
5.000
10.000
15.000
20.000
25.000
30.000
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002
€ NL Twente
European benchmarking important
Compare European Regions/Cities (Leuven, Grenoble, Oulu)
Stronger: • technological competence• knowlegde infrastructure• high tech spin-off, • living• environment Weaker• access of SME´s to knowledge,• number of knowledge workers• innovation reputation
Scores benchmarkingTwente Oulu Leuven Grenoble
Focus technological competences + + + +
Knowledge infrastructure ++ ++ ++ ++
Access of SME’s to knowledge - 0 0 0
Number of knowledge workers - 0 + +
Number of high tech spin offs ++ + ++ +
Co-operation between companies/knowledge institutions
0 ++ ++ ++
Living environment ++ 0 + ++
Exciting cultural environment - - + +
Realistic self image 0 + + +
Innovation reputation - ++ + +
2006 Innobarometer on clusters
Companies active in cluster-like environment:• United Kingdom 84%, Latvia 67%, Average 24%,
Netherlands 15%, Poland 4%• Cluster companies more stable turnover
Cluster development urgent in the Netherlands
65% clustercompanies agree: ‘public authorities have important role supporting the cluster’.
• Source: Flash Eurobarometer 187, The Gallup Organization, July 2006
Innovation Platform implements cluster policy
Public/private partnership in regional Innovation Platform
• Increase innovation strength of the region• Members: Captains of industry, directors of major institutions, government leaders
• How: Regional Innovation Action Programme200 mln Euros, 5 years, excluding European Funds
Development of public/private sectoral clusters
Support cluster development
5 clusters: Healthcare, Security, Food, Construction, Materials
Challenge introducing new technology in clusters:
nano-technology, ICT, mechatronicsHow:• Companies and Institutes higher education co-operate in
R&D• Government facilitates• encouraging SME´s to join clusters• Joined promotion region
The C-airlift
Example of an European award-winning healthcare product in Twente
Company: INDES
Example of cross border cluster
• Initiative Medical Product Development, TIMP, founded 1998
• Cross-border cluster companies & institutions• medical/revalidation technologies (17 Dutch
& 6 German)• TIMP supports members contacts potential
clients• Joint development new product-market
combinations• Contribution by the EU
Cross border R&D within TIMP cluster
Dry powder inhaler
Developed in Twente
Tested by Uselab in Münster
Food for discussion
Question: What could and should local/regional authorities do to foster cluster development?
• Co-financing action programmes cluster development
• Launching customership (health, construction, security)
• Lobby funding at the national/European level
• Removal administrative and regulatory barriers
• Provision risk capital revolving funds
Thank you
Mr. Peter den OudstenMayor of Enschede