Switzerland is still the most innovative country
The World Intellectual Property Organization ranks Switzerland first, mainly thanks to its patents and high technology.
A Logitech computer mouse is tested at the Logitech Daniel Borel Innovation Center in Lausanne, April 20, 2015. (Illustrative photo)
KEYSTONE/Gaetan Bally
Switzerland remains the most innovative country in the world and is ahead of the United States, which overtakes Sweden. China is closing in on the top ten. Tensions affect innovation, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) said on Thursday in Geneva.
Switzerland occupies, for the twelfth consecutive year, the first place in the world index of this institution, which gathers dozens of indicators in more than 130 countries. He addresses topics such as patent families, high technology and the complexity of production and export.
According to a WIPO official, the combination of “strong” research, the ability to finance innovation and applications quickly by the private sector in economic markets explains this situation. “SMEs must be more innovative” in Switzerland, given the scarcity of raw materials and a small internal market, the Federal Institute of Intellectual Property told Keystone-ATS, explaining this new success.
Swiss research has long spawned start-ups, he says. For a country like Switzerland, intellectual property is “very important”, he points out.
expected diversification
In addition to the top three, Great Britain regains fourth place, ahead of the Netherlands. In the next five to 10 years, the composition of the 20 most innovative countries “should be more diverse,” WIPO Director-General Daren Tang told reporters. The situation must reflect changes in patent applications, he insisted.
Daren Tang in Geneva, March 4, 2020.
KEYSTONE/Salvatore Di Nolfi
Despite the pandemic, investments in innovation around the world continued to grow last year. But there are difficulties in obtaining concrete effects, in particular due to the insufficiently rapid diffusion of new technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI). The organization wants a wave of innovation in these issues or in biotechnologies.
For this year, the situation is “clouded” by global uncertainties and “persistent underperformance in innovation-driven productivity”, Tang said. He calls innovation that is followed by an impact on the economy, especially for small businesses and developing countries.
Deterioration
In the same way, “an environment with political tensions affects innovation”, the CEO also believes. However, it can accelerate, adds the organization. The energy and food crisis may lead to an increased need for some countries to facilitate innovation to ensure their food security.
Investments in renewable energy and technologies to combat climate change can expand. In total, those of top innovative companies increased by 10% in 2021, reaching over $900 billion, more than before the pandemic. This improvement is particularly linked to new technologies, pharmaceutical and biotechnological.
Venture capital schemes increased by 46% and Latin America is the region where they are making the most progress. But we should expect more difficulties in this situation this year, also says the PMOI. In total, the numbers for the second quarter show a drop of 25 to 35% compared to the same period last year. The situation should get even worse by the end of the year, adds the organization.
TTY
Did you find an error?Please let us know.