Sep 3 2007
The Australian Nano Business Forum (ANBF) in Melbourne, Australia and the Nanotechnology Business Creation Initiative (NBCI) in Tokyo, Japan today jointly announced the signing of a major international collaboration between both countries. The collaboration will provide significant opportunities for Australian companies to develop or exploit nanotechnologies for major markets, or leverage developments into Australian markets.
The ANBF in Australia and the NBCI in Japan signed a major international collaboration between both countries.
The announcement was made at the 12th International COMS conference (www.mancef-coms2007.org), a major microtechnology and nanotechnology event currently being held in Melbourne with more than 400 international and local attendees.
Under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), ANBF and NBCI recognize that it is in the mutual interests of both countries to collaborate in the development of economic growth in Japan and Australia through the commercial application of nanotechnology. Accordingly, ANBF and NBCI will collaborate on defining and implementing a range of activities, projects and information exchange that will facilitate the uptake of nanotechnologies in both new and existing businesses in Japan and Australia.
The CEO of ANBF, Ms Tina Rankovic, observed that “This is a significant milestone for industry development in both countries with respect to the potential uptake of nanotechnologies. Japan is one of Australia’s largest trading partners, with exports of A$34.4 billion/annum, and this collaboration provides a mechanism to expand that still further. Japan is also a leader in the development of industrial nanotechnologies.”
Mr Masao Watari, Secretary-General of NBCI, stated that “NBCI is very excited about the collaboration with the ANBF and expanding Japan’s commercial links with Australia”. He believes there are many opportunities for mutual benefit in the nanotechnology communities of both countries.
The relationship between ANBF and NBCI was forged in February during Nano Tech 2007 – one of the premier trade exhibitions globally in nanotechnology each year, when the ANBF led a highly successful delegation to that event. The delegation included 30 individuals representing 23 organisations nationally, and was the largest individual country delegation. The ANBF plans to lead a similar mission to Tokyo in February 2008.