Panevėžys Successfully Represented Lithuania in the Field of Innovations
Panevėžys aamong 18 project partners from 6 Baltic countries was represented by the Deputy Mayor Petras Narkevičius, the Head of Investment Department, Project Coordinator Diana Bajorūnė and the Head of Public Relations Department Irma Gritėnienė. According to the Deputy Mayor Petras Narkevičius it is well appreciated that Panevėžys plays an active role in planning the innovation policy and directions in the Baltic Sea Region. The project was useful to the authorities of the city, business companies, business support organisations which took an active part in project trainings, conferences, seminars, shared experience and encouraged each other to work actively. Since 2009, the beginning of the project, four international trainings were held. The representatives of Business Advisory Centre, Science and Technology Park, Panevėžys Branch of Lithuanian Innovation Centre, the Chamber of Industry, Trade and Crafts, the Centre of Mechatronics took part. There were five seminars held in the city for the representatives of business, consultancy and training institutions of the region. Innovation and development strategies for Business Advisory Centre and Science and Technology Park were compiled. The analysis of potencial of 10 Business Support Institutions in Panevėžys Region was implemented. It proved that innovations are applied in 50% of the above mentioned organisations. Diana Bajorūnė mentioned that the most important aims of the project was the increase of competence of Business Support Institutions and the involvement of local politicians into the process of innovation promotion. A Joint Memorandum on Baltic Innovation Policy was prepared together with project partners.