India most Innovative in S Asia, but slips on global index

India has been rated as the most innovative country in Central and South Asia by Global Innovation Index, a joint publication of Cornell University and World Intellectual Property Organisation. HT reports.

India has been rated as the most innovative country in Central and South Asia by Global Innovation Index, a joint publication of Cornell University and World Intellectual Property Organisation. Globally India ranked 66 among 142 countries, two places down from the 2012 Index.

The report released by United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has special mention of India’s innovation clusters approach. National Innovation Council headed by Sam Pitroda had set up innovation clusters in 2011 anchored in the local industry associations across various Indian cities.

As part of the initiative, the council is conducting a pilot of this approach in 7 medium and small scale clusters in the country including auto components cluster at Faridabad in Haryana, Ayurveda cluster in Thrissur, Kerala, Bamboo cluster in Agartala, Tripura and Biotech &Pharma cluster in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

“Collectively, the local ecosystems have demonstrated 10 new products, 12 process improvements and 2 new entrepreneur facilitation centers,” a government statement said.

The report rates Switzerland as most innovative country and Yemen as least.