OECD - Measuring innovation: a new perspective

The OECD perspective on the role of government on innovation has shift according to the above video from spending on R&D to stimulating R&D through both direct and indirect (tax-breaks) measures. The link between R&D and innovation is apparently still evident. Furthermore, the final sentence: "...but what is clear is that governments have a powerful role to play in helping business unleash their innovation potential in todays knowledge economy" is not explained. Why is the presumption that governments have to help business unleash their innovation potential and why should that be done through direct on indirect support for R&D? it still puzzles me. The OECD report can be found here