Minister Stoycheva: The knowledge economy develops on the basis of human talent
The knowledge economy is built on human talent. Human intelligence must overtake artificial intelligence, which is increasingly prevalent in our everyday lives. Innovation is a horizontal policy, and from this point of view, interaction between different institutions and interaction between different participants in the ecosystem is the only way to develop our society and economy. This was said by the Minister of Innovation and Growth, Milena Stoicheva, at the "Time for Update" conference, hosted by the University of Economics - Varna. The event is part of the European Year of Skills Calendar and aims to stimulate cooperation between the education system and business in preparing personnel for the labor market. The Minister of Labor and Social Policy Ivanka Shalapatova, the Rector of the University of Economics-Varna Prof. Evgeni Stanimirov, the Deputy Mayor of Varna Snezhana Apostolova and the Regional Governor Prof. Dr. Andriyana Andreeva, as well as representatives from the academic community and business participated in the forum.
Minister Stoycheva presented the upcoming measures with European funding for the adaptation of enterprises to the changes caused by the digital transformation. Under the Program for Scientific Research, Digitalization and Intelligent Transformation (PSRDIT), which aims to support the science-business relationship, 300 million BGN will be provided this year. A grant scheme for micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises worth 25 million BGN, and companies will have the opportunity to apply for vouchers for projects presenting innovative solutions, implementing new products and services in business, solving technological problems in the field of digitization, introducing new business models. BGN 172 million are also planned for promoting the connection between science, business, regional specialization for regional economic development.
"As the main driver of investments in the country, MIG has chosen as its main policy to promote and attract strategic investors who are looking for exactly this approach - the creation of centers for scientific and development activity, especially in sectors with high added value," said Minister Stoicheva. She reminded that the "Development of Innovations in Enterprises" procedure is open for applications under the "Competitiveness and Innovations in Enterprises" Program. With a budget of BGN 127 million, activities aimed at research, testing, measurement and validation will be supported, as well as those for the creation and testing of prototypes and pilot lines related to the innovation being developed.
"As a result of our actions in the last nine months, Bulgaria managed to present its entrepreneurial ecosystem as one of the most dynamic. Proof of this is that, within just 6 months, three Bulgarian companies that started in Bulgaria were selected and presented at the "Innovation and Science Week" forum in Brussels, where the projects of the European Innovation Council were presented," said the Minister of Innovation and growth.