EEN platform to boost Singapore-EU collaborations

The world's largest business and innovation support platform, with a network spanning 64 countries, 600 organisations and several million enterprises, is now accessible to Singapore firms.

Enterprise Europe Network (EEN), as it is known, was set up under a European Union initiative to promote two-way business between the EU and the rest of the world. Jointly launched by Minister for Trade and Industry (Industry) S. Iswaran and EU Ambassador to Singapore Michael Pulch last week, EEN Singapore aims to give local firms access to business and technology partnership opportunities in Europe.

The initiative is a collaboration between trade agency IE Singapore, the Singapore Manufacturing Federation (SMF) and Intellectual Property Intermediary (IPI). Firms can join the network for free. Since June, over 200 companies have registered to be on the Singapore database. Almost 50 have been matched with business partners.

SMF president Douglas Foo said the platform would help local firms to expand into European markets, while allowing European firms to gain access to the Asean market of 600 million people through collaborations.

The platform would also allow local firms to gain access to "technological know-how available in Europe" through partnerships.

IE chief executive Lee Ark Boon said: "Singapore firms must continually find ways to improve productivity, build innovative products and improve processes through technology adoption."

IPI executive director Lam Khin Yong said: "We look forward to supporting Singapore firms in achieving growth and competitiveness through innovation."

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on April 25, 2016, with the headline EEN platform to boost Singapore-EU collaborations. Subscribe