1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Nanoelectronics, photonics and integrated micro/nano systems. Ubiquitous telecommunication networks and telecommunication networks with unlimited capacity. Embedded systems, calculations and control. Software, networks, security and confidentiality. Knowledge, cognitive and learning systems. Simulation, visualisation, interaction. Compared to other European countries, the Republic of Macedonia is significantly lagging behind in investment in research and development. In particular, it is necessary to increase investment in the development of information and communication technologies. These effects are two-fold: firstly, the development of ICT creates new jobs and it is one of the most propulsive sectors. Secondly, the development of information and communication technologies ensures new jobs and development of the economy in general. Especially it is essential to intensify the investment in research of information and communication technologies by the private sector. In the technologically most developed countries (EU-15, USA, Japan), the private sector participates with a far larger investment percentage in research and development compared to the public (3-4 times larger). There are a number of segments in the area of information and communication technologies where small and medium enterprises can participate in the research and development. It is very important to attract prominent foreign companies that would invest in the Republic of Macedonia, even with small production facilities in the starting period. II.13.1 Programme for research and development of information and communication technologies as basis for an information society A strategic determination of the Republic of Macedonia is to become a member of the European Union, and in order to fulfil this determination, Macedonia, in the following 5 to 6 years, should at least achieve the level of development of the new EU Member Countries through accelerated steps and measures. To achieve this it is necessary to obtain financial support, and the best model for that is the creation of a Programme for ICT Development under the Information Society Development Fund. Each year, the Government will allocate budgetary funds for the Information Society Development Fund and thus, the money of the tax payers, in particular the telecommunication companies, will be invested in the development of this sector. In addition, foreign donors, as one of the major financial sources for development projects, will have more confidence in the projects supported by the Fund, which in turn will result in increasing the annual amount for ICT research projects. The funds from the ICT Research and Development Programme will be used for financing projects of strategic interest for the Republic of Macedonia and of vital importance for the implementation of the information society related strategies that have been and will be developed in future. The Programme will support projects proposed by Page 37 of 40