Countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) are focusing on investments into research infrastructure, but according to data from The Ideation Center, they need to concentrate on creating an environment conducive to high-quality research and collaboration to optimize their research ecosystems.

While GCC governments are funding infrastructure, including investing in state-of-the-art facilities and labs at universities and schools. However, the countries do not allocate much funding towards research. R&D spending in these Persian Gulf countries range from 0.1% of GDP in Bahrain to 0.9% in the UAE, compared to the OECD average of 2.5%. Because of this, GCC countries have a trade deficit in regards to knowledge-based services, such as R&D, professional and technology-based services. In 2015, for example, the deficit hit 4.0% of GDP in Oman, 1.3% in Kuwait and 0.8% in Saudi Arabia.

Probems limiting R&D and innovation in the GCC include administrative issues within academia, such as insufficient time for professors to research and a limited number of PhD programs in the region, as well as funding challenges. Additionally, the report cited a lack of research collaborations amongst domestic and international researchers and not enough partnerships between academia and the private sector. Insufficient IP regulations and limited academic contribution to policy formulations also contribute to stifling research output and productivity.

The report concludes that by prioritizing research in the GCC public sector agenda, GCC countries would be able to better develop a mutually beneficial relationship between research organizations and government institutions. Moreover, in fostering local researchers’ communities, GCC countries can improve research productivity through increased funding, exchange programs and administrative support. Establishing a link between academia and industry would also aid in commercialization of innovations. This could be achieved through collaborative contracts, R&D agreements and reformed research policies. In addition, improvements in the judicial systems of GCC countries would improve IP frameworks in the region.

Source: Strategy&