Released 25/07/2017
Today a four-person European Union delegation of business and planning experts from Prague met with Minister for Planning and Land Management Mick Gentleman to announce a year-long project, where our two cities will work together on creating world-class urban renewal projects and explore ways to enable start-ups to bring their ideas to fruition.
“Both Prague and Canberra are cities committed to innovation, and are working towards creating diversified economies with a strong focus on innovation, technology and research,” Minister Gentleman said.
“The partnership will demonstrate to the world Canberra’s capacity to embrace new technology and explore innovative ideas, the program will create opportunities for Canberra entrepreneurs to showcase their products and services in Prague and Europe more generally ,” Minister Gentleman said.
“Two of the delegates are from the European Space Agency program at the Business Incubation Centre located in Prague, and the Prague Startup Center. They are particularly keen to share learnings with our universities, the CBR Innovation Network and Renewables Innovation Hub.
“Later this year delegates from Canberra will be able to go to Prague and identify projects our two cities are able to cooperate on under the program. The European Union will meet travel and accommodation costs,” Minister Gentleman said.
The European Union's Ambassador to Australia, Sem Fabrizi, said the Canberra partnership with Prague was part of a $1 million EU program.
"This is a wonderful and innovative initiative that brings European and Australian cities closer together. As part of our climate action diplomacy strategy in Australia it is crucial that European and Australian cities will exchange valuable information, experience and ideas on sustainable urban development, urban-rural partnership and urban cross-border cooperation,” Ambassador Fabrizi said.
The European Union has praised Canberra for its leadership on climate change action, citing our commitment to 100% renewable energy by 2020, and the innovation we have demonstrated in Urban renewal, and diversifying our economy through the EU World Cities Program.
The delegation’s two days (Wednesday 10 May and Thursday 11 May) in Canberra include discussions with key business and government officials, visits to the CBR Innovation Hub, the Renewables Hub and the National Arboretum, as well as walking tours of successful urban renewal precincts like Braddon and New Acton.
World Cities is managed by the Directorate General for Regional and Urban Policy of the European Commission.
- Statement ends -
Mick Gentleman, MLA | Media Releases