Canada’s five innovation superclusters have met with a delegation from the European Union at Toronto’s Humber College.
The Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which entered into force in September 2017, is boosting Canada’s trade with the world’s second-largest market and helping to create jobs in Canada.
Clusters are dense area of business activity & companies, energizing the economy and acting as engines of growth. Superclusters build on the advantages of a cluster, with stronger connections, long-term competitive advantages, global brand recognition, and an even greater positive impact on job creation and economic growth.
Yesterday (6th June), the Honourable Navdeep Bains, minister of innovation, science and economic development, joined Elżbieta Bieńkowska, european commissioner for internal market, industry, entrepreneurship and small and medium enterprises, to witness the signing of an administrative arrangement between Canada and the EU to facilitate trans-Atlantic cluster collaboration.
Under the new arrangement, Canada’s five innovation superclusters will have more opportunities to form strategic business partnerships and linkages with cluster organizations and firms in the European Union.
Navdeep Bains, said: “Canada’s five superclusters are set to become major engines of growth, building on Canada’s image as a global innovation centre and world leader in research and development. Today’s arrangement will better enable cooperation between our superclusters and their European counterparts.
“It is because of CETA that we are able to pursue these great opportunities in the European market. This is a tremendous advantage that will help drive innovation and growth both here in Canada and across Europe.”
Elżbieta Bieńkowska, said: “The EU and Canada are natural partners for clusters. Companies from both sides of the Atlantic can pool their knowledge and innovation potential to build a strong industrial foundation. We have an interest to intensify our cooperation in a more strategic and sustainable manner—not the least to fully use the opportunities offered by CETA.”
