Germany Focuses on Innovation

German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder has launched a drive to help the country regain its position as one of the world's leading economic and scientific powers. On Thursday he convened a panel of 12 experts to discuss ways to promote innovation. He said it was important that the government, the corporate world and the technology sector join efforts to achieve this goal. Called the "Partnership for Innovation," the alliance will examine ways to help boost economic growth and create more jobs. It will also aim at improving the quality of science education and increase funding for research programs. "Our goal is to make sure that Germany’s economic prosperity will continue well into the future," the chancellor said. "But that will happen only when we can beat the competition in the international marketplace," and that can only be done with new products that are created and developed through research – through innovation," he added. Schröder plans to hold another meeting with his innovation advisers in March.