Better definition and qualification of clusters' processes (France)
A study group of the Datar and the CDIF (French Industrial Districts' Club) has been meeting since February to put forward an in-depth analysis chart of clusters, with the aim of creating a sort of "cluster reference book". This group, organised by Tecsa Consultant, comprises different ministerial partners of the Datar and various members of the CDIF.
Two major objectives are driving this activity:
1) Improve the conditions for the efficacy of clusters by means of an analysis framework to assist them in their professionalization,
2) Encourage their communication and promotion policies on the basis of a common reference.
To date, an initial analysis chart has been produced, composed of various indicators of cluster characteristics, the types of inter-business co-operation, the cluster's relationships with its local environment etc. It is currently being tested by a cluster panel.

Brazilian "Local productive arrangements"
As a reference to the French model of clusters, the SEBRAE (Brazilian Support Service for very small, small and medium-sized Businesses) has finalised a definition which it calls the Brazilian "local productive arrangement" (LPA). There are criteria for territorial specialisation, local government and the networking of businesses. SEBRAE, present in each of the country's states, has also completed the important task of identification. More then 500 potential LPAs have been identified, 160 in the Sào Paulo region alone. A hundred LPAs are in the textile/clothing sector.
In Brazil, SEBRAE insists upon the committed participation of numerous players in the success of LPAs: government at national, federal and local levels, banks, universities and business associations. It also insists upon the importance of a step-by-step approach to accompany the emergence of an LPA: points of reference, awareness of the players, establishment of a network and local controls, diagnostics, programme of actions, indicators, projects and progress/evaluation.

Silicon Sentier Cluster, a dynamic new force in the digital economy in the centre of Paris (France)
22nd May: official launch of the "Silicon Sentier"! This association has been created by merging two complementary associations of the 2nd arrondissement (district) of Paris: Silicon Sentier (centre for innovative businesses and experts on their trades) and NET (cluster of businesses, structured around shared services such as human resources, buildings, cabling and cost optimization). There are 60 businesses which are specialised in the business of the Internet: website conception, advice/marketing, content creation and hosting. Some 200 business are involved in the project on the ground (2000 jobs). Silicon Sentier is organised around three ambitions:
1) To participate in the promotion of this Parisian centre of excellence and the influence of the French internet economy in France and abroad,
2) To promote the establishment and development of businesses in the new economy in the centre of Paris,
3) To organise professional meetings.
Supported by the City of Paris (Paris Développement), the town hall of the 2nd arrondissement and the Parisian Chamber of Commerce, the association would like to make this area a "digital district" of the city.
More information can be had from Marie-Vorgan Le Barzic, mvlb@noos.fr

Emergence of a textile/clothing cluster in the East Midlands (Great Britain)
The most important textiles cluster in Great Britain is to be found in the East Midlands region where clothing and footwear textiles represent more than one third of the industry. As part of the government's campaign to promote clusters (see www.dti.gov.uk/clusters/) the East Midlands Development Agency (EMDA) is working in particular with this textile/clothing cluster to encourage innovation, research into new markets and, if possible, the diversification of activities. More than 2000 businesses (70,000 employees) and a hundred associated businesses (logistics, packaging, financial organisations…) are involved. A team dedicated to organising the activities of the cluster has created many inter-business working groups: research into new markets, marketing, technical textiles, international commerce, training (initial and continuous), research and technology and the development of the skills of the workforce.
In its first year of existence, the cluster has led numerous campaigns: financial support for the creation of a CD about the textile sector and a methodological kit aimed at schools; a collective stand at a technical textiles world trade fair, organisation of seminars and workshops and in particular a 3-day festival of the textile industry organised in three large cities in the region; instigation of a design competition allowing students to imagine the clothes of the future.
More information can be found on EMCAT Website.
(Thanks to Richard Conlin, Birmingham University, for his contribution to this article)

The regions support the development of clusters: example in the Midi-Pyrénées (France)
The Midi-Pyrénées region counts many well-established sectors: textile, granite, wood, electronic assembly, health, on-board electronics etc. It's not surprising therefore that the Midi-Pyrénées region appears at the top of the list of regions whose clusters were retained by the DATAR in its call for projects in 1998 and 1999 (11 clusters mentioned).
Martin Malvy, president of the regional council, interviewed in Newsletter No. 2 of the Interfaces company, is convinced of their added value: "the move toward clusters today appears to be a well-established tool for territorial development around the resources of the region. This new territorial strategy facilitates the instigation of a dynamism between public and private players and also favours collective projects. In this respect it contributes to the development of the economy and the image of the region." For these reasons, the regional council is participating in the development of a large number of them. To better participate, it is conducting a study of clusters in the region in 2003. "I would like to continue and intensify our participation by adapting it as far as possible to the needs."

First feedback from the European seminar for cluster support policy (Copenhagen)
In conjunction with the Enterprise DG, the Danish government organised a European seminar on the policies of cluster support on 10th June which was attended by more than 200 people from 23 member (or future member) states of the Union. All of the presentations by the speakers should shortly be available on www.ebst.dk/cluster.
The seminar was the occasion to present the main lessons learned by a group of experts during 2002 under the aegis of the Enterprise DG and in which the CDIF participated for France. Their work illustrated that a good cluster support policy should be able to create an operational framework favouring dialogue and inter-company co-operation as well as collaboration between small and medium-sized businesses and research institutions, and public and private organisations at local, national, European and international levels. The public sector should however limit itself to acting as a catalyst within the dynamics of these networks. In their recommendations, the experts highlighted the important role of the European Union in the deployment of clusters through:
· the realisation of a series of studies to identify clusters in Europe (cartography)
· increasing awareness of the advantages of cluster dynamics for regional development and development of small and medium-sized businesses,
· information on clusters' initiatives in Europe
· the definition of a forum at the European level concerning best practices, experiences, skills etc. as part of inter-business co-operation.
· The reinforcement of synergies between policies in the different member states in order to improve their effectiveness.
In response to these conclusions, the Enterprise DG announced the forthcoming creation of a forum concerning clusters at the close of the seminar.

Second call for projects: Interreg IIIC (Europe)
The second call for projects for the community initiative INTERREG IIIC will be made on 16th June. Reminder: sheet C of the Interreg III is for the promotion of inter-regional co-operations. Clusters wishing to lead campaigns for partnership at the European level may find the means to finance their projects. The closing date for the receipt of documents is the 26th September 2003. The application forms and the contact details of the four technical offices responsible for running the INTERREG III C (north, south, east and west) can be found at InterregIIIc website.

The micro-electronic cluster PACA celebrates (France)
On the 18th June, CREMSI (Regional Centre of Studies for Micro-electronics and Interactive Systems) celebrates its 10th anniversary. The event will be organised around the campaigns led by CREMSI amongst which is the organisation of the micro-electronic sector cluster from the Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur region: about twenty businesses grouped around the 3 main client companies in the area (Atmel, ST Microélectronique, Gemplus). R&D activity is particularly well-developed here and the small and medium-sized businesses are active in various research programs involving universities and large schools in the region.
For more information get in touch with contact@cremsi.org.

"Innovative clusters - a new challenge" - 17-19 September 2003, Gothenburg (Sweden)
The 6th annual Competitiveness Institute conference will take place in Sweden on the theme of clusters and innovation. As every year, numerous experts from all the continents gather at this conference to discuss such issues as new public support policies for clusters and the role of development agencies in the emergence of competitive clusters in the new member states of the European Union. The experiences of Sweden and its development agency VINNOVA in the area of innovation will be in the spotlight. Programme and registration at www.tciconference.org.

Which development agencies are involved in the drive for decentralisation? 17th June 2003, Paris (France)
TThe new responsibilities passed to the regions of France in accordance with the laws of decentralisation will contribute to the enlargement of their role as "lead manager" in economic development. What role will be given to the regional development agencies? During the seminar, the diversity of missions and tasks exercised by the agencies (certain of which are active in the organisation of business networks) will be analysed and compared.
The seminar is organised by the OCDE and the deposit bank in co-operation with Cner and Datar.

"Des SPL dans l'Espace central" (Clusters in central France) -Publication by ADIMAC (France)
From wood to cutlery, passing savoury meats, jewellery and general mechanics on the way, the central France area (20 departments spanning 6 regions), counts no less than twenty active clusters, according to ADIMAC. "La Lettre" no.34, April 2003 allocates its pages to this dossier and reviews them. For more information, contact ADIMAC tel.: +33 (0)4 73 19 20 21.

Reports from the 2003 International Meetings event (France)
The second "International meetings for the planning and development of areas" echoes the current French institutional situation and concentrates on the issues surrounding the role of the regions in area development. Organised by DATAR, the deposit bank and the OCDE on 21-23 January, this event was able to attract about 80 international figures, including some 20 presidents of European regions, to debate and share their experiences of regionalisation. The summaries of the round tables, forums and workshops are available from entretiens.territoire@datar.gouv.fr or can be consulted at www.datar.gouv.fr.

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