Research and Innovation through the Malta Council for Science and Technology MALTA

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1 Research and Innovation through the Malta Council for Science and Technology MALTA EU Tour of China

2 Background to Malta Smallest EU Member State Southern-most tip of Europe Open economy, heavy reliance on international trade

3 The Malta Council for Science & Technology Government advisory body established in 1988 Management & administration of National R&I Programmes Responsible for National Strategy and Policy within Research and Innovation (R&I) National Contact organisation for the EU s Horizon 2020 Science Popularisation

4 Malta s National R&I Strategy 2020 There are building blocks of an R&I ecosystem which Malta still needs to put in place or strengthen, for the benefit of all actors. The business focus and innovation orientation of Malta s R&I system is largely supported. However, achieving the longer-term vision of this strategy requires more investment in Malta s core knowledge base. Malta should seek R&I specialisation in a number of areas where it has a competitive advantage while retaining flexibility to respond to the dynamic economic and social landscape. A comprehensive R&I support ecosystem A stronger knowledge base Smart, flexible specialisation

5 Malta s National R&I Strategy 2020 The role of ICT ICT as an enabler ICT-based innovation in health, digital gaming, financial services and tourism product development Smart, flexible specialisation Identified thematic specialisation areas Innovation in tourism product development Innovation in maritime Services Innovation in aviation and aerospace Innovation in health, with a focus on healthy living and active ageing, and e-health Innovation in resource-efficient buildings Innovation in high value-added manufacturing with a focus on processes and design Innovation in aquaculture R&I opportunities in rural development Actions to achieve this goal will need to be tailored to each thematic area or groups of thematic areas.

6 Malta s R&I Governance Structure

7 Malta s R&I Schemes & Incentives Tax credits Malta Enterprise: Industrial Research Tax Credit; Experimental Development Development Tax Credit; Investment Aid Tax Credit R&I&D Grants Malta Council for Science and Technology: Commercialisation Voucher Programme; Technology Development Programme Malta Enterprise: R&D Feasibility Studies; R&D Scheme Financial Instruments Malta Enterprise: Interest rate subsidies; loan guarantees; Microguarantee; Business Start Government and banks: Jeremie; Jasmine; SMEG Microcredit; SME Initiative; Venture Capital Malta Public-Private Partnerships Malta Council for Science and Technology & Malta Enterprise: support to foreign direct investment with indirect support to PPP s Projects Malta Ltd and Venture Capital Malta: Design of PPP instruments to attract new business

8 Cooperation with China The Governments of Malta and China agreed in the MoU on a Medium-Term Cooperation Plan ( ) signed in July 2014, to activate the bilateral 2002 Agreement on Scientific and Technological Cooperation The Malta Council for Science and Technology and the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) are the designated implementing agencies for cooperation. Currently exchanging ideas with MoST on possibility of joint research centres in specific fields MoU signed this year between the Malta Council for Science and Technology and Harbin Institute of Technology. Identification of potential projects for cooperation is underway.