Drafting a feasibility study for establishment of science and technology park

The global objective project is to improve the current innovation ecosystem in the country by strengthening the cooperation among academia, industry and government. In line with this global objective, the project developed a comprehensive Feasibility study and Action plan for the establishment and operation of a Science and Technology Park (STP) aiming to strengthen the country's innovation capacities. The need for setting of STP in the country is emphasised in the SEE Strategy 2020 (SEE 2020 - Jobs and prosperities in a European perspective, available online at: http://www.rcc.int/files/user/docs/reports/SEE2020-Strategy.pdf): which envisages a measure to "promote business innovative start-ups by improving the business environment, requires mentoring services and financial support throughout the whole innovative process, proper services from technology/science-parks and incubation services that can host and nurture young firms". While developing the Feasibility study, the following STP objectives have been especially taken into consideration: 1) the STP should promote the competitiveness of businesses operating in the STP by introducing a knowledge economy based on high-value-added goods/ services (usually intensive in knowledge and innovation). 2) the STP should promote synergy among firms by providing common services thereby exploiting economies of scale. Specialised business support services/ units are needed to create an environment where companies may interact with one another and be near to the knowledge transfer centres. This should allow the STP to offer more favourable terms to companies. 3) The STP should primarily seek to attract clean, high-tech, knowledge-intensive industries, thereby generating new income and business opportunities. 4) The Feasibility study is embedded in a context of EU best practices to achieve a more vibrant, cohesive, collaborative, sustainable RDI ecosystem and increased academia-industry-government cooperation. The feasibility study incorporates the EU policy recommendations in the area. Activities: Preparation of scope of work and detailed assessment of the current situation; Drafting of STP Model Option Analysis; STP Functional Urban Plan Analysis; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Compilation of Feasibility study for STP; Drafting the Action plan for establishment and financing of STP and Final Report.