European Commission Names Huawei 2nd Highest Private Sector Investor in R&D Globally

EU Commission publishes annual R&D Scoreboard 2021

The European Commission has just published the EU Industrial R&D Investment Scoreboard 2021. This study is recognized as one of the most authoritative and comprehensive global surveys into the level of private sector investment in research and development.

The European Commission has ranked the leading 2,500 private sector companies that invested in research and development during the year 2020. The EU Joint Research Centre (JRC) and the Directorate–General for Research and Innovation (DG RTD) within the European Commission jointly produced this scoreboard.

Huawei’s Global Ranking in R&D: 2nd

The European Commission has found that Huawei is the 2nd highest private sector investor in the area of research and development in the world.

I welcome the findings of this report. Huawei invests heavily in basic research, giving us the capability to deliver new innovative products and services into the marketplace. Strong investment into a variety of different research disciplines is a central business strategy of Huawei. It builds us a strong foundation to drive innovation across the full scope of our business operations.

International collaboration in the areas of research and science is very important to guarantee that the most innovative products and services are developed. The process of innovation does not stop at any one defined geographical border. Huawei is deeply committed to international collaboration in research and science and this includes within a European context. Europe is home to some of the finest researchers and engineers in the world. One third of all scientific publications that are subject to pier review are carried out by European scientists. 25% of all global R&D within the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector takes place in Europe.

Huawei set up our first research center in Sweden in Europe in the year 2000. We employ 2,400 researchers in Europe and we collaborate with over 150 different Universities in Europe in a host of different research fields. Huawei operates 23 different research centers across Europe. Huawei has also taken part in a variety of different research initiatives at a European level including under the Horizon 2020 research, innovation and science instrument. Huawei is “In Europe, For Europe”.

Horizon Europe 2021-2027

Investment in R&D is a driver of strong economic growth. The roll-out of Horizon Europe between now and 2027 will help strengthen the competitive position of the European Union. International collaboration involving the private, public, educational, and research sectors under Horizon Europe will help achieve the policy goals of the EU in the area of strategic autonomy. It is clear that the European Commission, the European Parliament, and the EU Council (representing the 27 member states of the EU) fully recognize the importance of investing in the research, innovation and science sectors:

• The roll-out of Horizon Europe is a key cog in the wheel of EU economic strategy moving forward. It will support economic recovery in Europe in the context of the COVID pandemic.

• The EU Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) will deliver the digital and green transition for Europe. Further strong investments into the research, science and innovation areas is an intrinsic element of this RRF programme as it is rolled out across Europe over the next five years.

• Investment in research and science will drive the development of the circular economy in Europe, help to fully implement the EU Fit for 55 initiative and support EU measures to combat climate change.    

• Horizon Europe is a central component of EU strategy in ensuring that the 17 goals of the United Nations Sustainability Development Goals will be fully implemented by 2030.

EU: Bridging the Knowledge Gap

One of the key benefits of Horizon Europe is that it backs the full cycle of engagement from research to innovation. The European Research Council (ERC) has programs in place that will guarantee that Europe stays at the forefront of cutting-edge research. On the other hand, the European Innovation Council (EIC) is scaling up many companies so as to improve the competitive position of the European Union. The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) is also deepening cooperation levels between the private, educational, and research sectors to develop new products and services in Europe.

We all know that we are living through a digital revolution. Technological innovation is modernizing how vertical industries are operating and delivering customer value. Investment in research and science is a key element contained within this exciting and evolutionary process.      

Read more about Huawei Research & Innovation.

Disclaimer: Any views and/or opinions expressed in this post by individual authors or contributors are their personal views and/or opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views and/or opinions of Huawei Technologies.