Lipetsk fires up regional innovation

An Innovation Development Center has been announced for ?the nearest future? in the Lipetsk region in Central Russia to stimulate an increase in science-intensive production.

An Innovation Development Center has been announced for ?the nearest future? in the Lipetsk region in Central Russia to stimulate an increase in science-intensive production, news agency RIA Novosti reports, citing a source in the Lipetsk regional administration. ?Oleg Korolev, the Governor of the Lipetsk region, has told his staff to quickly form a body that will coordinate the work of scientists, engineers and government officials in an effort to modernize local companies,? the source said. According to the source, regional manufacturers ?invest too little in R&D, thus causing the loss of connection between science and industry.? The future Center will reportedly aim to address the disconnect and ?bridge the gap.? In the Lipetsk region, local manufacturers are reported to have sold $355m worth of innovation products between January and March 2013, up an estimated 22% on a year-on-year basis, the administration said...