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Ladies and Gentlemen, I am delighted to be here to mark the Russian High
Technology Business Days. Without doubt, this is the most significant
conference on UK - Russian hi-tech collaboration for many years with a
very specific aim of bringing British and Russian partners together to
form collaborations on a range of high technology ventures.
I would particularly like to congratulate the principle organisers of
this event - the International Centre for Scientific and Technical
Information in Moscow led by Mr Yakobashvilli, and from the British
side, PERA International and Dr Juan Matthews, the DTI International
Technology Promoter for Russia. It is a considerable undertaking to have
over 70 specific technologies on show from Russia and I am very glad to
hear that there has already been considerable interest shown in some
areas of development of longer term UK - Russian collaboration as a
direct result of this event.
This conference is a strong indicator of both the UK and Russia's
strengths in science and hi-technology. It as a mark of the major steps
both countries have taken, particularly in the last three years, to
foster and enhance greater levels of hi-tech collaboration.
In the UK we are rightly proud of our record in science and
innovation. A recent study by the Institute of Scientific Information in
the USA showed that British research produced 13% of the world's top,
that is most cited, papers in 1998 as measured across a wide spectrum of
disciplines. In the 50 years since the discovery of the structure of
DNA, British scientists have been awarded 46 Nobel Prizes, over
two-thirds of which were for physiology or medicine or chemistry. And
this creative science base has enabled us to be strong in key science
industries such as pharmaceuticals, aerospace and now biotechnology,
opto-electronics and computer games. A priority for the Government is
enhancing the science and engineering research base, and today the
science budget in the UK is rising by 10% per annum in real terms. At
the same time, we are strengthening the links in the innovation cycle,
bringing universities and business closer together and providing
researchers with the skills and incentives to take their ideas to
market.
These initiatives are already beginning to show impressive results.
Last year there were 248 spin-off companies from British universities,
an increase of over 20% on the previous year. But, as our Prime
Minister, Tony Blair, said in a speech to the Royal Society last year,
'Science is both competitive and internationally collaborative'. So if
we are to remain an innovative, forward-looking nation, we need to
retain the capacity to do this work, both on our own and in
collaboration with other scientists. This is why we believe
collaboration with other countries with a similar pedigree in Science
and Hi-technology, such as Russia, is vital.
Let me say a few words in particular about collaboration with Russia.
In terms of the Russian economy, the progress is clear for all. Russia
has been on an upward curve for the past four years. Domestic and
foreign investment is rising, the economy has continued to grow steadily
and inflation is falling. In particular in science over the last three
years we have witnessed increasing Government spending coupled with
impressive progress on promotion of the innovation agenda. I myself was
fortunate enough to visit Moscow last summer and took the opportunity to
visit some very impressive small hi-tech spin -off companies spin out at
the Moscow State University Science Park.
Furthermore the UK's bilateral relationship with Russia remains very
strong. The Prime Minister was in St Petersburg over the weekend for the
300th anniversary celebrations - his second visit in three months. We
are about to see President Putin paying the first State Visit by a
Russian leader to Britain for well over a century. Within the last few
weeks BP and Shell have announced investments in Russia of $7 billion
and $10 billion respectively. And earlier this week, I had the privilege
to witness the successful launch of the historic UK Beagle 2 Mars Lander
on a Russian Soyuz rocket from Baikonour.
Against this background it is only natural that we should look to
match both countries strengths in science and hi-technology. I am very
pleased to note that through the DTI International Technology Service
over 30 high-tech linkages have been established between the UK and
Russia over the past year. Particular areas of successful work include
software, digital communications, materials, medical and environmental
technologies. However, I firmly believe that there is scope for far
greater collaboration. It is through events such as today's that we will
generate the confidence and momentum to build our relationship further,
and I am delighted to be here this evening to take part in this event.
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