Discussions about Business Development

The 5th UBC Business Commission meeting was held in Tampere on 17-18.05.2002. The main topics were: e-city and local business services. 28 persons from eight countries and 17 UBC cities participated in the seminar and workshops.

On the first day, Tampere staffoutlined the participants on how things are done in Tampere, and on the successfully introduced eTampere program. In the workshops the participants discussed the possibility to establish development projects. E-dimension, cluster development, seed fund, technology/industrial park services, business climate and youth entrepreneurship were choosen among the most interesting project themes. Tampere, Tallinn, Gdansk and Kolding were chosen to prepare preliminary project plans. Later, if the joint project comes to life they will possibly act as its coordinators.

Mr Reijo Hautala, chairman of the business commission retired on 1 June 2002. His successor is now deputy mayor Esa Kotilahti. In 2003 the Commission will be chaired by the city of Kaunas. Mr Ruta Antanaitiene welcomed cities to the next Commission's meeting in Kaunas in May 2003. The meeting will be possibly held during the week 21 in connection with the "Kaunas Day". The possibility of establishing a permanent secretary was also disscussed. As no city was interested the issue was postponed to the next meeting.

Business Incubator concept in Baltic area - Developing Technology Park
During the Commission's meeting the participants decided on planning project co-operation on several jointly selected themes.

Based on the presentations and discussions in Tampere, one of the selected themes was "How to develop successful technology parks / business incubators". City of Tampere was selected to prepare a project proposal on that theme based on the know-how and excellence in developing a technology park and business incubator concept of Hermia

The general aim of the project is to promote and support innovative entrepreneurship in selected Baltic cities, by improving the services of existing regional support structure. This is seen as vital activity in order to maintain and develop the competitiveness of regions.

The main activity of the project is to adapt the Technology Park and Business Development Model of HERMIA, incl. the innovation management and business mentoring approaches, to the needs of technological businesses in interested Baltic cities. Tampere Technology Centre Hermia has developed a good operational model for its Technology Park Concept and Business Incubator Activities that includes products/services offered to high-tech oriented small companies. Hermia has been selected as one of eight leading business and innovation centres in Europe (November 2001).