The simplification of regulatory environments, addressing monopolies that present a barrier to new market entries, reduction of patenting costs and a mechanism for establishing standards in emerging technologies will all go a long way towards developing a market that is more conducive to technological innovation in all states.

This was said by Competitiveness and Commu-nications Minister Censu Galea, when addressing the informal EU Competitiveness Council in Finland earlier this week.

Mr Galea said that the outsourcing of public sector services could significantly increase the market for such services and incentivise service providers to use innovation as a means of gaining a competitive advantage.

He warned that, because member states differ in terms of industrial structure, economic development and levels of research, development and innovation activity, the right policy mix is required at community level.

“Member states must be able to continue undertaking appropriate measures at national level, since measures viewed as a priority for a member state having an advanced economy may not necessarily be a priority for another with a less developed economy,” he said.

In order to achieve the desired results, Mr Galea said Malta believed that detailed policy frameworks should be agreed at Community level, but still recognising the principle of subsidiarity and allowing enough latitude for member states to implement agreed actions within the context of their socio-economic realities.

Mr Galea said that at community level, initiatives could include the further promotion of public-private partnerships and clustering between universities and industry – such initiatives being relevant both for research as well as for innovation. He said that attention should be given equally to service providers and manufacturing firms.

The informal meeting of the Competitiveness Council, which focuses on European Innovation, was held in Jyväskylä. The objective was to make innovation policy an integral part of the EU’s competitiveness agenda. The meeting was chaired and hosted by Finnish Minister of Trade and Industry Mauri Pekkarinen.