OECD

Last year, the organisation visited Sweden and the findings of that visit have been collected in the OECD Territorial Reviews Sweden. This report makes very positive reading for the Region Västra Götaland´s politicians, officers and all those who in various ways are involved in securing Västra Götaland´s continued growth and development.

When the OECD writes about growth and development policies, the Region Västra Götaland and Region Skåne are spotlighted as good examples of how well responsible political control can work. “This is naturally very gratifying for us. It´s always great when people compare us with other regions and, irrespective of the outcome, it is important to take on board analyses of various kinds," says the regional development board´s chairman, Kent Johansson. 

In its report, the OECD also praises Region Västra Götaland´s system for stimulating entrepreneurial spirit, business start-ups and research-based cooperation. The report presents the innovation system with its five platforms that are based on both tradition and fresh approaches. The successes are exemplified by close cooperation between players such as universities/institutes of higher education and the business sector.

According to the report´s authors, these platforms place region Västra Götaland on the European research map as innovative, entrepreneurial and refreshing. “Bearing in mind the current state of the labour market, it is naturally important that those who want to invest in research and investment know that here in region Västra Götaland, we have a good system and an excellent climate of cooperation," says Kent Johansson.

In a publication entitled “Så arbetar vi för att stimulera hållbar tillväxt 2010" (in English “Here´s how we work to stimulate sustainable growth in 2010") Kent Johansson and regional development director Bertil Törsäter write as follows:
“In the situation in which we now find ourselves, with high unemployment as a consequence both of a global financial crisis and an economic slump, we are further intensifying our efforts to contribute to better future competitiveness for the business sector in Västra Götaland."

The OECD report must be seen as valuable confirmation that Region Västra Götaland has chosen the right path.
 
Facts: The coordination platforms are important cornerstones in the regional innovation system. The aim is to create functioning environments that stimulate the flow of ideas and innovative processes between company networks, major research projects and incubators.  Examples of coordination platforms are Espira in Borås, Innovatum in Trollhättan, Gothia Science Park in Skövde, Lindholmen Science Park and Sahlgrenska Science Park in Göteborg. Their role as neutral arenas makes for easier cooperation between large and small companies, institutes, academies and social institutions.

Source: Västra Götalandsregionen  
2010-01-04