CERN and the Central Macedonia Region in northern Greece to sign cooperation protocol

CERN and the Central Macedonia Region in northern Greece will sign a cooperation protocol at the end of January 2017, at CERN’s headquarters in Geneva, for the transfer of CERN knowhow to companies in the region involved in innovation and new technologies.

The protocol will be signed in the presence of representatives of 15 such firms in the region. It will also allow Central Macedonia university students to attend CERN seminars in Geneva and local businesses to submit bids in CERN procurements tenders.

Central Macedonia Region governor Apostolos Tzitzikostas said the authority was striving to provide incentives and prospects for young scientists, working in collaboration with the Thessaloniki ‘Technopolis’ to draw up a plan for setting up a support mechanism for start-ups. This led to an initiative for an ICT cluster using financing from the new European structural and investment funds for 2014-2020.

The decision was made after Tzitzikostas and the head of Thessaloniki ‘Technopolis’ Tasos Tzikas contacted CERN and spoke with its Head of Relations with Associate Members and Non-Member States, Senior Physicist Dr. Emmanuel Tsesmelis, who briefed them on how the organisation can help new start-ups intending to use CERN technology.

Tzitzikostas also noted the need for state support, however, such as the introduction of a 10 pct flat tax rate for all businesses that chose Central Macedonia as their base.

CERN and the Thessaloniki Technopolis have already signed a four-year cooperation agreement to set up a Business Incubation Centre, using CERN technology to create new products and services.