In a survey of 400 respondents examining corporate R&D spending in 10 Central European countries (Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia), 45% of companies plan to increase R&D spending in the next 1–2 years, and 57% plan to increase it in the next 3–5 years. Respondents in Slovakia, Croatia and the Baltics plan to increase funding the most, by 69%, 68% and 65%, respectively. Incentives such as grants and tax deductions are proving to drive R&D investments, with 64% of companies considering them to be motivators. Sixty-three percent of companies would increase R&D spending in the next 1–2 years if skilled researchers were more readily available. Seventy-one percent of survey respondents collaborate with academic and research institutes, with the Czech Republic and Lithuania leading collaboration at 82% and 78%, respectively. However, 36% of companies do not work with third parties, as they have their own R&D facilities. Recent regulatory changes affecting R&D investments include Poland’s 2015 R&D tax incentives, Romania’s 150% R&D tax “super deduction” and the Czech Republic’s largest-ever government-funded R&D budget in 2016.

Source: Deloitte