Skopje, 13 June 2023 (MIA) - The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) launched on Tuesdauy its first joint hub in Skopje, set to take regional innovation to the next level and provide local entrepreneurs, innovators and learners with innovation support.

Participants in Tuesday's launch event pointed out that by connecting regional actors, innovators, and partners to Europe’s largest innovation ecosystem, the new EIT Community RIS Hub - the first of its kind, will strengthen cooperation among leading business, education and research organisations while increasing the region’s competitiveness and sustainable economic growth. 

"The EIT Community would like to offer the best chance for all European talents to contribute to European innovation, regardless of which ecosystem they come from. If talent comes from an innovation ecosystem that offers fewer opportunities, we need to offer them even more support to ensure they can succeed," said Bence Huba, RIS manager at EIT Urban Mobility. 

According to Ss. Cyril and Methodius University rector Nikola Jankulovski, the Strategy for Smart Specialisation in North Macedonia is to provide a modern approach to economic development, particularly in "smart" agriculture.

"We are ready to make available all our capacity for the implementation of this strategy and to contribute not only with our scientific and research potentials, but also in a wider social context. In that direction, we have already taken major steps to develop study programms and research infrastructure that would contribute to the development of national capacities in the implementation of the strategy," said Jankulovski. 

In addition, Vice President Orce Simov said the Macedonian Chambers of Commerce also expect an increase in innovation.

The EIT has appointed Aleksandar Stamboliev as a National Secretary to lead the operations of the new hub.

The launch of today’s hub North Macedonia is the first of such regional hubs to open with more planned in the next three years, including in Cyprus, Malta, Montenegro and Ukraine.

Photo: MIA