A particular strength of the Liechtenstein economy is rooted in the innovative research and development work of domestic industry. Only by focusing on research and development have a number of Liechtenstein industrial companies been able to establish themselves as global market leaders in their respective segments.

The Advisory Council for Research and Technology (ACRT) was founded in 1989 as an innovation circle of the Liechtenstein Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI ). The responsibility of the ACRT is to provide important research and technology information to the LCCI and the Government. Its objective is to improve the basis for decision-making relating to technology policy and thereby to further increase the competitive strength of Liechtenstein. At the same time, the ACRT promotes contacts and exchanges of experience in research and technology matters between researchers and businesses. General questions concerning the recruitment of qualified specialists are also an important topic for the Advisory Council for Research and Technology.

In 2004, LCCI industrial companies invested around 307 million Swiss francs in research and development. This corresponds to almost 8,900 Swiss francs per capita.

Further core topics of the ACRT are:

• Technology transfer: relationship with universities and scientific institutions
• Cooperation with educational institutions

The Advisory Council for Research
and Technology endeavors to
improve the basis for
decision-making in technology
policy and to strengthen the
competitiveness of Liechtenstein