European Union Chamber of Commerce in China supports the 1st Innovation Fair in Nanjing Go back »
2018-05-25 | Nanjing
Nanjing, 23rd May 2018 – Nanjing’s 1st Innovation Fair, organised by the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China (European Chamber) and the Nanjing Stuttgart Joint Exhibition Company, was held today to help stimulate public awareness of innovation and promote the development of a regional innovation ecosystem.
Dr Duan Xiong, deputy director general of the Department of Science and Technology, Jiangsu Province, and Dr Laurent Bochereau, Minister Counsellor, Head of Science, Technology and Environment, European Union Delegation to China, delivered the opening remarks. They both praised the respective innovation ecosystems in Europe and Jiangsu, and promoted the idea of future international cooperation between the two sides.
Themed Think outside the Box: Innovation for Vitality, a panel discussion was held with the participation of representatives from the European Union Delegation to China, European consulates and the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Other participants included representatives from Chinese and foreign multinational companies (MNCs), start-ups, incubators and accelerators, as well as representatives from local industrial parks. Discussion focussed on the importance of developing a sound innovation ecosystem, and the vitality that it can bring to the economy. A ‘pitch and match’ session was also held for MNCs and start-ups to exchange and discuss the latest technology and innovative models.
Speakers from Chinese and international companies shared best practices, and four sub-panels discussed topics such as the global ecosystem,the Internet of Things, and the importance of businesses working with research institutes.
Roland Gerke, chairman and president of BSH Home Appliance Holding (China) Co Ltd, said that the innovation fair has helped to build a bridge between MNCs and innovative Chinese enterprises, and has brought new opportunities for future cooperation between Europe and China. He also said that it has helped to promote the further development of the smart home appliance industry.
Bernhard Weber, chairman of the Nanjing board of the European Chamber, spoke highly of the developments in China’s innovation capacity, and said that he looked forward to increased EU-China cooperation in this area. “Although European enterprises have long been focussed on innovation, China’s innovation capacity is rapidly increasing, and it is now a world leader in the fields of mobile payment and e-commerce. We hope that through this opportunity, Chinese start-ups and European MNCs can exchange and share innovation practices,” he said. “The European Chamber has been working for years to promote the development of regional innovation. We hope that by bringing together all stakeholders that more people will benefit from the development of technology and innovation.”