Integrated Cross-Sectorial Plan of Tirana-Durres Area

The governing structures should develop
regional schemes and policies that promote
the interaction process of actors (enterprises /
academia / public institutions) to develop R &
D and innovation with a focus on SMEs in the
region. These approaches must have flexible
frameworks, given that the very nature of
innovation is very variable.
It is suggested to build a regional innovation and
knowledge board and fund, involving all regional
actors (universities, research institutes, state
agencies, banking system, regional enterprises,
researchers and industry chambers, SMEs and
entrepreneurs) connected in a network among
them and the global factor.
Creating this structure will not only help in
developing innovation, but will guide demand
and investment towards the strengths of action
of regional enterprises.
This approach will guide development
according to real needs and global market
demands, creating concrete new opportunities
in products and services with export focus.
The primary development factors for
innovation are shown in the table below,
accompanied by the respective contributors
and indicators:
Primary factors Contributing factors Contributing indicators
Access to knowledge
Ability to transform
knowledge into
value-added
products and services
• Developing poles based on science
and innovation;
• Developing and accessing networks,
thanks to the cooperation of industry
with the academia;
• Developing the private sector of R & D;
• Strengthening skills and knowledge
from the international network of
science through ICT.
• Developing human capital and
specialized employment;
• Private sector trust and cooperation
climate;
• Developing access to financial capital;
• Developing innovative activities at
international level.
• R & D expenditures;
• Scientific publications;
• Number of researchers in the labour force;
• Use and access to ICT;
• ICT expenditures in% of the GDP;
• Human Development Indicators;
• International cooperation in R & D.
• Education system statistics;
• Activities and patents;
• Private financing offer;
• FDIs;
• Ranking of international competitiveness;
• Growth and development of SMEs;
• Networking and composition of enterprise
sectors;
• Level and sectors of foreign trade.
Desire to innovate
• Creating a positive economic and
political macroclimate;
• Developing innovative entrepreneurship;
• Structures and platforms that promote
cooperation between the academia
and the private sector;
• Clustering and developing
international interaction networks;
• Activities linked to open networks and
platforms.
• Conditions for the political and macroeconomic
framework development (GDP,
inflation, corruption, informal
economy, etc.);
• Number of "start-ups";
• Number / performance of incubators,
scientific technological parks (or similar);
• Regional development and clustered
activities;
• Changing organizational structures of
enterprises, including their
demographic changes.
Table 4.1 Primary development factors for innovation 19
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Source: IKED (Strengthening innovation and technology policies for SME Development in Albania)
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