The ASEAN-EU Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Days are a forum style event, initiated by the European Commission. The ASEAN-EU STI Days 2016 will be organised in Hanoi, Vietnam, from 10-12 May, 2016. This year’s edition of the event will focus on presenting academic/industry collaborations in and between ASEAN and the EU in the context of common key societal challenges for both regions and the more than 50 workshop sessions present good opportunities for dialogue, matching of interests and visibility for EU business activities in Vietnam. As it is expected that the EU Vietnam FTA, and specific clean technology investments like water related technologies, will be a major business topic in 2016, this momentum can be seized to address several issues regarding innovative and environmental technologies and their business opportunities.
The 2016 STI Days, taking place from May 10th -12th, provided an opportunity to increase the visibility of EU activities in SEA, to reach EU and SEA businesses, and to enable a dialogue with government and academia including successful EU business examples with market potential in SEA. The Green Growth Sector Committee of the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam offered insights on the demand, potential and business aspects of INNOVATIVE WATER BUSINESS in a panel-focused workshop session. During this workshop, keynotes and panel discussions addressed realities of current demand and market conditions as well ways to help to unlock market potential.
The session addressed a mixed audience from business, academia, government stakeholders and other interested parties in Southeast Asia in the water sector. Key business stakeholders provided insights in order to identify challenges and solutions to obstacles for sustainable business development in the water sector.
Attended the workshop, CEEC’s Executive Committee Member, Dr. Gellert Horvath from Budapest Waterworks, delivered a keynote speech on “Innovative Approaches for Water Smart Cities in Europe and Southeast Asia” and joined the discussion panel with H.E. Bruno Angelet (Head of the EU Delegation to Vietnam), Mr. Nguyen Quang Vinh (Third Secretary of Vietnam Business Council for Sustainable Development), Mr. Pham Tuan Phan (CEO at the Mekong River Commission Secretariat), Mr. Nguyen The Dong (Deputy General Director Vietnam Environment Administration), and Mr. Konstantino Glinos (European Commission).