Business Research and Innovation surveys revealed that, despite high innovation costs and limited funds for research, enterprises were able to offer an increased range of goods and services and an improvement in quality.

The surveys request information regarding Research and Development as well as Innovation initiatives split up between new and/or improved innovative products and innovative processes coupled with the investment to implement them.

Innovation Expenditure

In 2006, the Post and Telecommunications sector represented the highest percentage share of total innovation expenditure, at approximately 21 per cent, followed by the Food and Beverages sector at 20 per cent. On the other hand the Chemicals and Chemical products sector recorded the highest intramural Research and Development expenditure at approximately 29 per cent.

Type of Innovation Activity

A total of 1,207 enterprises were surveyed, with a response rate of about 70 per cent. Enterprises which reported product and/or process innovations totalled 232, whilst another 5 enterprises reported ongoing or abandoned innovation activity.

Research and Development Personnel

Responding enterprises reported a total of 585 persons employed in Research and Development of whom 468 were males and 117 females. Of these, 12 were Ph.D. graduates and 409 held a university degree or a tertiary diploma.

Factors Hampering Innovation

From the 2006 Innovation Survey it emerged that the main obstructions to innovation activity for both innovative as well as non-innovative enterprises were high innovation costs followed by lack of funds.

Effects of Innovation Activities

The principal effects of innovation activities observed by enterprises were an improvement in the quality of goods and services offered and an increase in the range of goods and services offered ..