February 2008

BIO Deutschland Demands Better Conditions for R&D Investments

BIO Deutschland fully supports the recommendations made by the German Federal Government’s Expert Commission on Research and Innovation, which were published at the end of February. The commission recommends targeted support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in their investments in new technology. "The latest corporate tax reform has an inhibiting effect on innovation in important advanced technologies above all and in small and medium-sized enterprises in particular," Peter Heinrich, President of the Board of the industry association, BIO Deutschland, stated. He added that this is one reason why the Law on the Modernisation of Conditions for Capital Investments (MoRaKG) must quickly come into force and that this law outlines small but important steps towards the support of innovation development in SMEs. Heinrich also pointed out that the next step must be towards tax incentives for research and development, especially in innovative small and medium-sized enterprises, as is already the case in other European countries. BIO Deutschland demands that innovative technology companies be taken into account and supported, as is the case in other European countries. These necessary amendments do not imply the creation of further exceptions, which would be contrary to the further aim of taxation simplification. However, additions to and further development of the tax legislation are vital as these are of decisive importance in making Germany stronger as an internationally competitive location for research and development.

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