The new regional rules and regulations on tax incentives for research, the development and innovation (research and development+I) in companies in Navarra should have a significant effect on subject of employment. This was stated by the counselor of Economics, Francisco Iribarren, during the opening of the intersectoral workshop on financing and taxation of research and development+I organized by the Foundation business - University of Navarra.

"Navarre has achieved an acceptable Issue of jobs; we are at an unemployment rate of 6.1%, but now it is time to increase the quality of these jobs," said the Minister before the nearly one hundred managers and technical managers of Navarre companies who attended the workshop.

"We have very well-trained young people in our university centers who are demanding our obligation to provide them with sufficient jobs in which they can develop their full potential not only in quantity but also in quality," he stressed.

Iribarren commented that "with initiatives such as this one we intend to promote the creation of jobs that are in line with the real level of knowledge of the Navarre society. To do so, it is clear that we have to encourage companies to share their risks in order to get them involved in this dynamic".

According to the counselor, "the administration must strengthen the basic research as a fundamental element to contribute in solidarity to the generation of knowledge, in addition to creating a favorable climate for companies to fully join the culture of technological innovation".

An important step forward

The president of the Confederation of Entrepreneurs of Navarra (CEN), José Manuel Ayesa, accompanied Iribarren at this event. "The future of society depends on strengthening the capacity of research, development and technological innovation of our companies and universities," he stressed. "Therefore the new tax regime is an important step forward on this path."

Ayesa expressed his satisfaction that the new rules and regulations contemplates a special treatment and support for business projects of research and development proposed in partnership with university students.

The President of the CEN pointed out that the business fabric of the Autonomous Community of Navarre is the main protagonist of the Technological Plan. "If we do not get companies to accept the principle that without research, development and innovation there is no future, we will have failed".

The main novelty is the increase from 30% to 40% of the tax credit for expenses incurred in the tax period for research and development, which also includes deductions for investment in fixed assets and amortization, expenses of staff of qualified researchers and research projects contracted with universities, public research organizations, innovation and technology centers.