In September, we had the chance to explore the cooperation opportunities between the Mediterranean and the Canadian companies in the framework of the webinar Unlock the potential for cooperation between Mediterranean SMEs in the Mediterranean and Canada. The webinar, hosted by ASCAME and the Canadian Chamber in Italy, focused on emerging sectors such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT) and the Horizon Europe Programme’s contribution to fostering strategic transatlantic partnerships and knowledge exchange.
The webinar began with the speech of Ms. Roberta Alberti, Canada Investment Officer at the Consulate of Canada in Milan, who conducted the session ‘Spotlight on Canada: Business and Investment Opportunities’. In her speech, Ms. Alberti highlighted the current good moment to doing business in Canada: “There are numerous Canadian organizations available to meet the Mediterranean companies’ needs for high-quality products, services and technologies. By investing in Canada all these companies can benefit from a stable economy, competitive business costs and a safe and inclusive environment”.
Ms. Alberti insisted on the Canada’s innovative ecosystem: “As a global leader in science and technologies we are able to facilitate connections with R&D partners in Canada. Since 2028, the Government of Canada has invested over $2 billion to foster innovation and public-private partnership in strategic sectors such as AI or IoT where this country aspires to be at the forefront globally. In addition, Canada counts on global innovation clusters that contribute to building sustainable ecosystems and supply chain resiliency, scaling up Canadian SMEs, and attracting talent, research and capital”.
In addition, Canada has five independent and non-profit organizations which support Canadian innovation to solve some of the world’s biggest challenges: developing new technologies to support human and environmental health, developing new plant-based proteins, developing clean technology for zero-emission vehicles of the future, using AI to boost supply chain efficiencies, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in marine transportation.
Finally, the Canada Investment Officer at the Consulate of Canada in Milan talked about the free trade agreements in Canada: “Through key trade agreements with preferential access to North and South American, European, and Asian markets, companies in Canada can reach customers across the globe. Specifically, companies in Canada have access to 61% of the global economy. Thanks to the free trade agreements, Canada provide firms with preferential access to international markets: 1,5 billion consumers, 51 foreign countries, more than US $ 57 trillion in global GDP”.
Innovation beyond borders
The next speaker was Mr. Walter Knitl, President at AIoT Canada, who told about the Mediterranean – Canada collaboration opportunities. Firstly, Mr. Knitl gave us more details about what AIoT is: “This is an industry association representing and advocating for the Canadian ecosystem of providers and adopters of products and services based on the fusion of AI and the IoT. This association brings its members together to connect, interact, and learn from each other, enabling them to amplify their market-growth and operational effectiveness, influence national policies and strategies to reduce business, innovation and societal risks, and contribute to the Canadian economic growth”.
Regarding the key topic of the session, Mr. Knitl pointed out that the Mediterranean and Canada share several economic, geographic, and societal interests and priorities where AI/IoT play. In his opinion, “potential collaboration exists in areas such as AIoT Provision -providing AIoT technologies, products, services that comprise solutions, AIoT Adoption -solutions based on IoT-, AIoT Innovation -technologies and processes innovation applicable to AIoT provision and adoption, and AIoT Governance -public policies, standards, and best practices”. And, more specifically, collaboration agreements could be possible in the following sectors: agriculture and agri-food, marine and ocean economy, environment and climate change, renewable energy, industrial and manufacturing, logistics and transport, urban development, digital, AI, and IoT innovation, and AIoT industry associations cross-pollination.
Cooperation through public funding
Finally, Mr. Christian Violi, Head of European Projects at the Canadian Chamber in Italy, referred to the cooperation opportunities between both regions through public funding. Mr. Violi started talking about the Horizon Europe, the EU’s key funding programme for research and innovation which tackles climate change, helps achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and boosts the EU’s competitiveness and growth. According to him, “In July of 2024, Canada became associated to Pillar II of Horizon Europe, which funds collaborative research projects across a wide range of domains”. Secondly, Mr. Violi highlighted that many EU member states have bilateral funding schemes with Canada, such as Eureka and NGI SARGASSO. Finally, the speaker said that participation in many EU calls is open to Canadian partners.