Austria is aiming to join the ranks of global innovation leaders with its strategy for Research, Technology and Innovation (RTI). The Austrian Research and Technology report is an annual update on the project’s progress, documenting recent developments and activity to promote research and innovation.
Austria has an above-average R&D ratio and is one of the most research-intensive countries, with some EUR 11.3 billion invested in research and development in 2017 (corresponding to an R&D ration of 3.14% of GDP). This record figure is ample demonstration that the initiatives taken are the right ones, and that they are bearing fruit. By comparison with the rest of the EU, Austria’s R&D ratio is well above the EU28 average of 2.03%.
The good progress so far is to be encouraged further and new levels of innovation achieved – especially with reference to digitilisation, which is leaving an indelible mark on every aspect of social and scientific activity. Digital is changing both research and commercial work, and has become an object of study in its own right.
Concrete steps are needed to establish priorities and promote such trends. The experts‘ report essentially recommends placing an even stronger emphasis on the demand for faster internet access. Targeting investment in IT, expanding FTI infrastructure, questions relating to the protection of intellectual property, data protection and data security are also all important considerations in this respect.
Source: Austrian Trade Commission