Rösler: Research and development are making our companies fit for the future

The Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) today published its "German Innovation Survey 2011". One of the key results to be shown is that in 2010, more German companies continuously pursued research and development than ever before. The relevant figure was put at 34,000, or 12% of German companies, thus topping the previous peak value from 2008.

Philipp Rösler, Federal Minister of Economics and Technology, stated: "Research and development are an "elixir of life" for our economy. It is therefore a significant and pleasing result for us to see that German companies are approaching peak form in this area and are equipping themselves for global competition by means of increased investment. This is making them fit for the future, and our economy will go on to draw considerable benefit. The figures from the ZEW also show that the efforts being made by the Federal Government and by business to increase the levels of research and development carried out are bearing fruit."

Experts from the ZEW are also predicting that spending on innovation by German business in 2011 will reach a high of about €130bn. The report also indicates that sales of new products rose considerably in 2010 - reaching 15.1%, thus settling at three percentage points higher than the preceding year. The Federal Government has topped up the regular budget for research and development in the current legislative term by €6bn.