OSLO, September 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Norway's capital was the clear winner in a new survey of knowledge-based economies in Europe performed by Eurostat, the EU statistics agency.

The survey measures the percentage of human resources in science and technology (HRST) among the total workforce, and is seen as an indicator of the development of the knowledge-based economy in the EU. According to Eurostat, "the core group of this population - known as HRSTC - can be considered as active stakeholders in the development of knowledge and technological innovation." By definition, HRSTC are persons who have successfully completed tertiary education and work in an S&T occupation as professionals or technicians. The Oslo region led the survey by nearly 5 % over no. 2 Stockholm.

Biotech builds on regional strength

Among key investments set to secure Oslo's position as a knowledge hub in Europe is the new Oslo Cancer Cluster (OCC) science park, referred to by Biotech Sweden as Europe's largest investment in cancer research. Further strengthening the region's knowledge base will be a key task for the new center, according to CEO Bjarte Reve: "By integrating education into the science park we hope to enhance recruitment of well-trained talent, and thereby secure the long-term quality of research conducted here," Reve concludes.

Oslo maritime plots course for global prominence

Another group working to build their knowledge base is Oslo's powerful maritime cluster, represented by the Oslo Maritime Network (OMN). Together with the Norwegian Shipowners' Association, OMN has launched an initiative for 10 privately sponsored maritime professorships around the country, several of them in Oslo. "There is room in the world for two or three Global Maritime Knowledge Hubs. Norway can be one of them," said OMN board member Professor Torger Reve at the June 12th launching of the historical initiative, the largest private maritime research and education investment in Norway's long maritime history. Reve sights Boston in biotech and Silicon Valley in ICT when outlining his vision for Norway's future as a maritime knowledge hub. The Norwegian maritime industry can become a Super-Cluster when R&D, education and capital drive cluster development, Reve maintains.

Eurostat survey:

http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/cache/ITY_OFFPUB/KS-SF-08-043/EN/KS-SF- 08-043-EN.PDF

Biotech Sweden's OCC article: http://biotech.idg.se/2.1763/1.179632

Global maritime knowledge hub:

http://oslo.teknopol.no/English/MainMenu/news2/News/Norway-plots-course- for-Global-Maritime-Knowledge-Hub/

(Due to the length of these URLs, it may be necessary to copy and paste this hyperlink into your Internet browser's URL address field. Remove the space if one exists.)

For more information, contact:

Oslo Teknopol, http://www.oslo.teknopol.no; Susanne Werner, Oslo Bio +4722002986, Kevin Gallagher, Oslo Maritime Network, +4722002998.

For more information, contact: Oslo Teknopol; Susanne Werner, Oslo Bio +4722002986, Kevin Gallagher, Oslo Maritime Network, +4722002998