The AIC was invited to be a guest speaker at the Licencing Executive Society International (LESI) Annual International Conference held in
Manila
in June 2009. The AIC was specifically asked to discuss its current collaborative project to establish a Pan Asian Innovation Network with other conference attendees. The Pan Asian Innovation Network is a joint initiative being developed by the AIC and other foundation members from Chinese, Malaysian and Philippine technology transfer related agencies.
Together with senior managers from two of the AIC's project partners, the Philippine Department of Science and Technology and SIRIM Berhad in Malaysia, the AIC facilitated a workshop aimed at further developing the Network concept and broadening participation to other interested Asian countries.
The AIC's Director of Industry Collaboration,
Alex Blauensteiner
, who chaired the workshop, confirmed a real interest in participation from other Asian organisations and general support for the initiative.
"It was clear from the conference that developing economies in
Asia
are very focused on developing their knowledge economies. They realise the importance of mechanisms to help push their local knowledge to export markets and also to bring in new technologies that can underpin productivity improvements and local innovation. Countries like
Vietnam
and the
Philippines
are among several Asian nations rapidly growing through innovation and that are expected to post positive economic growth results for 2009, unlike most of the developed world" Blauensteiner said.
The AIC also met with other Manila-based organisations including the Asian Development Bank and the Asian Institute of Management who were keen to gain greater insights into the various SME capacity building, innovation and clean technology initiatives being run by the AIC in
Australia
.
"As in
Australia
, SMEs are the drivers of most Asian economies, and there is a real hunger for ideas and initiatives to help up-skill SMEs and improve their access to innovation for both growth and sustainability. There is real potential for Australia to take a leadership role by sharing our experience and learning, which will lead to strengthened trade ties and export opportunities for Australian Industry" Blauensteiner commented.
