The 2nd Congress of the Eurasian Technology Platforms (ETP, Techplatforms) was held on June 19 at the Eurasian Economic Commission under the chairmanship of Goar Barseghyan, EEC Minister in charge of Industry and Agriculture.
The representatives of 18 operating technology platforms discussed the issues of increasing the importance and popularization of their activities, support mechanisms, as well as the issues of financing the development and implementation of interstate programs and projects initiated by the ETP.
Goar Barseghyan emphasized that the development of cooperation in the scientific-technical and innovation spheres is of paramount importance for the industrial development of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) States.
"One of the main tools for coordinating innovation activities within the EAEU space, and a driving force for cooperation in the innovation sphere is the concept of Eurasian technology platforms, which can unite and implement the best practices of the Union countries in the most promising and knowledge-intensive industrial sectors of the economy through implementing interstate programs and projects," she noted.
The Minister reported on a new financial mechanism to support the implementation of joint projects to enhance the EAEU industrial cooperation.
"Subsidizing interest rates on loans and credit lines of second-tier banks granted to implement cooperative projects from the Commission's budget is defined as a financing mechanism," Goar Barseghyan noted, adding that about 1.8 bln rubles is provided for such projects in the Commission's budget this year.
In turn, the ETP participants noted the practice of successful interaction with the EEC, the importance of the Commission's coordinating role in addressing sector-specific issues, as well as made their proposals for further development of the techplatforms concept.
Following the Congress, a resolution was adopted, whereby a number of measures are envisaged to improve the efficiency of the Eurasian Technology Platforms, strengthen their role and develop proposals for new mechanisms to implement interstate programs and projects in terms of their financing sources at all stages.
