RATIO KICK Off Conference 31/05/2016
"Improving innovation delivery policies to reach regional economic development of SMEs located far from urban areas" was the topic of the RATIO Kick off (Regional Actions To Innovate Operational Programmes) on 31st May 2016 in Zaragoza, Spain. The conference was visited by experts and representatives of the regional partners from Germany, Czech Republic, Poland, Latvia, Portugal, Italy, Ireland and Spain.
The objective of the event was to raise public awareness of the project, to demonstrate that regional authorities and local stakeholders are actively supporting innovation policy in their regions, within a joint approach from all RATIO partner synergies.
The conference was opened by regional representatives of Aragon government Mr. Rafael Sánchez from the Aragon Institute of promotion (IAF Aragón Government), Mr. Fernando Callizo President CEOE Aragón, and from FAMCP (LP) Mrs. Julia Vicente Lapuente, Deputy Regional Parliament. All welcomed the regional guests and raised the importance to enhance the innovation potential of rural SMEs through Exchange of experience among regional actors.
The speech provided and excellent link to the presentation of the RATIO project, which was given by the lead partner, the Federation of Municipalities Regions and Provinces of Aragon represented by Mrs. Romina Magni, with emphasis in the strategic importance and value of the project, and ensured the full commitment of all partners to work for a common goal of increasing innovation capacity of rural SMEs.
The 8 regional partners provided further input to the debate with their presentation on the current situation in each region of innovation capacities, R&D mechanisms and instruments to support SMEs.
The seminar finished with Mr. Carlos Gómez Ascaso from the Technological Institute of Aragon (ITA INNOVA) who gave current initiatives of innovation support to SMEs and success factors tools in rural areas.
