Export potential of Belarus-Germany research companies estimated at $100m

The export potential of Belarus-Germany joint ventures working in the field of science and technology is estimated at up to $100 million, Chairman of the State Committee for Science and Technology of Belarus Alexander Shumilin said as he met with German MPs Oliver Kaczmarek and Rene Rospel during the visit of the German scientific delegation to Minsk, BelTA learned from the press service of the State Committee for Science and Technology of Belarus.

Alexander Shumilin believes that Belarus and Germany have succeeded in promoting scientific, technical and innovative cooperation. The joint work is conducted as part of the intergovernmental agreement on large-scale cooperation in economy, manufacturing industry, science and technology and the agreements between research institutions and universities of the two countries. Fifty one joint research projects in medicine, biotechnologies, energy, artificial intellect and laser technologies have been implemented or are in progress as part of the programs of the Belarusian Republican Foundation for Fundamental Research. These projects are financed by both Belarus and Germany.

“Some projects were initiated by universities, the German Research Foundation, the International Bureau of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research or are run as part of the Seventh Framework Program of the European Commission,” Alexander Shumilin noted.

Belarusian researchers promote their innovative solutions on the German market and conduct research projects upon the order of German companies. Belarusian companies export not only services, but also finished high-tech products, including the products created as part of the bilateral cooperation.

Bundestag member Rene Rospel noted that Belarus and Germany have similar priorities in science and technology. Germany, just like Belarus, does not abound in mineral resources, but boasts human capital. For the past 15 years Germany has been steadily increasing its spending on education and science. About 3% of the country’s GDP is funneled into research and new solutions (only a third of the resources is provided by the budget, two thirds are granted by industrial and private companies).

The participants of the meeting agreed to step up the bilateral cooperation, including through Belarus-Germany joint projects in science and technology and projects of the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation Horizon 2020.