Ávarp á alþjóðlegri ráðstefnu um klasa, 2. október 2013

ATH: Talað orð gildir

Cluster Excellence: Strategy and Steps for Development

Dear guests

It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to this cluster conference in Reykjavík.

First of all I would like to thank Rannís, Innovation Center Iceland and the University of Iceland for taking the initiative and arranging this conference on cluster management. From the agenda it is clear that you all have an interesting day ahead of you where experiences from various clusters will be presented during the day.  

But what do we mean with the term “cluster”? The concept of clusters can vary depending on who you talk to. In Iceland, the term has been used rather freely, so to speak. It has been used to describe various forms and shapes of cooperation, short and long term, small groups of actors and large ones, private and public. But in short, one could state that clusters are a strategic collaboration between enterprises and institutions in order to achieve common goals that benefit individual actors as well as the whole.  

In Iceland we indeed have common goals to pursue. Strategic issues for us are for example upgrading the business environment, strengthen the capacity for innovation, address macroeconomic issues and strive for stability. The Government emphasizes favorable conditions for enterprises in order to enhance growth, driven by increased exports and improved productivity.

In the Policy Statement of the Coalition Government strengthening innovation is a key objective. In order to support innovation, development of clusters is specially highlighted.

Cluster initiatives have played an important role in Iceland over the last decade when it comes to innovation and regional strategy. The ministry of industry launched its first regional cluster initiative in 2003 and currently 8 locally based initiatives are operated as key regional development programs. Few other initiatives and programs have been launched but not based on a long term strategy.

However, we are well aware of the fact that cluster initiatives are not only tools to promote regional development, but can more importantly contribute significantly to innovation, internationalization of businesses and become an important foundation for growth. Cluster initiatives can prove to be important policy tools to establish national and even global industry strongholds.

Already we can identify up and coming Icelandic clusters which are attracting attention nationally and globally. The Icelandic geothermal cluster is one example which is drawing attention to the country where knowledge and experience is a valuable commodity worldwide.

Same applies for the Iceland ocean cluster which brings together different Companies with the aim of increasing value and develops new products in this industry which has been the backbone of our economy throughout the years.

Tourism is furthermore a rapidly growing industry with the number of foreign visitors to the country escalating. In the tourism sector we can already see collaboration between companies in various areas which will without a doubt strengthen Iceland as a destination.

Other growing sectors can also be mentioned such as the creative industries and the high tech sector, such as health- and bio-technology.  Further cooperation within and even between these industries is likely to increase value creation and innovative solutions. Therefore, it is important to explore simultaneously how cluster initiatives and programs can facilitate and support collaboration to build a more competitive economy.

Ladies and Gentlemen

In the Ministry of Industry and Commerce we are in the final stages of developing an industry- and innovation strategy. In that process we have had broad consultations with stakeholders from the business environment, academia and others. Our aim is to publish a strategy based on consensus on key issues.  Growth must be based value creation and we seek increased productivity in all sectors.  We must create the conditions for private enterprise to invest, create jobs and be profitable. Increased competitiveness is what we are aiming for.

Clusters are an integral part of the upcoming industrial- and innovation strategy. We will begin by defining a cluster strategy. In that process it is important to base the strategy on clear understanding of its specific aims and what role government should play.

Cluster development is therefore on the agenda. Along with defining the cluster strategy, concrete actions need to be taken. As we all know, strategy comes to life when implemented, not published.

Dear guests, when it comes to clusters, it is extremely valuable for us to be able to draw on the experience of leading practitioners in the field. We are very well aware that we can‘t expect to be handed a quick-fox solution. We can however aim at basing our work on best-practices and learn from the success of others … and mistakes of course.

These are all issues that I will set high on the agenda within my ministry and institutions. These are also the issues that you will discuss here today and therefore I, again, would like to thank the organizers for this conference and you, dear guests, for taking part in it. The outcome of today‘s work will for sure be of great value for us at the Ministry.

With this I conclude my opening remarks and wish you all a pleasant and fruitful day.

Thank you!