An innovation platform, which provides all important information related to research, development, innovation, documents, legislation and novelties in that sector, as well as financing opportunities, is an important channel for everyone in the system, it was heard at a presentation on Friday.

The national innovation platform has been designed as a key spot for the exchange of data, ideas, projects and experience by experts and researchers. The main aim of the platform is to boost growth and economic development and to increase productivity in business but also in the science-research sector, it was said at the online presentation of the platform, organised by the Croatian Chamber of Commerce (HGK).

The platform consists of a public and protected section which provide information on the latest events, trends and innovation systems to all interested stakeholders in the innovation chain.

The protected section is intended for registered users as a communication channel for innovation networks for industry – National Innovation Council, Innovation Council for Industry and members of innovation councils according to themes.

HGK’s Mateo Ivanac explained that the platform was developed because of the lack of communication, particularly online communication between the public, private and research sectors, and lack of investments by the business sector in R&D.

State Secretary in the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development Natasa Mikus Zigman said that the innovation system had been dispersed until now and that the platform was necessary to better connect business with science-research institutions.

She announced that the ministry would continue to stimulate investments into R&D, with the aim of investments amounting to 2.5% of GDP in the next few years.

The national innovation platform was established as part of a strategic project to support an innovation network for industry and is co-financed from the European Regional Development Fund.

There are innovation councils for five areas in which Croatia sees that it can be competitive at the global level – health and quality of life, energy and sustainable environment, transport and mobility, food safety, and bioeconomy.