A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Switzerland Innovation and Korea Industry Intelligentization Association (KOIIA), an industry association focusing on digital transformation under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy of Korea, was signed on April 20, 2023, at Switzerland Innovation Park Biel/Bienne.
Innovation, digital technology, and advanced manufacturing are some of the commonalities that Switzerland and Korea share as strengths. With the manufacturing sector making up about 27% of each country’s GDP, both countries rank high in Global Innovation Index (WIPO) and World Digital Competitiveness Index (IMD), providing perfect grounds for industrial digital transformation.
The MoU aims to establish mutually beneficial activities in the field of digital transformation and will serve as the first step in finding collaboration opportunities between the two parties for exchange and open discussion on research and development in digital transformation. “Currently, digital transformation is recognized as a hot topic across industries, and its necessity and demand are increasing through the application of the fourth industrial revolution technology. With the signing of this MOU, Switzerland Innovation is building a strong partnership with KOIIA deepening the relationship between our’ world-leading digitalization and innovation communities“ stated Sophie Cerny, Deputy CEO, Switzerland Innovation.
Following the signing of the MoU, representatives of KOIIA and member companies visited the Swiss Smart Factory at Switzerland Innovation Park Biel/Bienne to strengthen contacts and identify research areas and innovation focus of common interest.
About KOIIA
Korea Industry Intelligentization Association (KOIIA), under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy of Korea, started as a part of the government’s “manufacturing innovation 3.0” strategy. It focused on smart factory expansion, helping Korean SMEs grow a global manufacturing competence.
Now it facilitates the digital transformation of Korean SMEs, especially in but not limited to the manufacturing field, through cutting-edge technology such as artificial intelligence and big data across the value chain. It focuses on smartification, eco-friendliness, and convergence of the core technologies of Industry 4.0.
With its goal to make digital-based innovative industrial growth, it strives to build the ecosystem for digital transformation in industries and work as a facilitator of collaborations.
About Switzerland Innovation
Switzerland Innovation is a network of six innovation parks across Switzerland based on a joint initiative of public institutions, academia, and the private sector with a statutory mandate from the Swiss Federal Council. Switzerland Innovation forms an ecosystem that allows universities and innovative companies to collaborate and use their knowledge and research results for the development of new, marketable products and services.
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From left to right: Sungjoon Lim, General Manager KOIIA; TaeHwan Kim, Executive Vice President, KOIIA; Sophie Cerny, Deputy CEO, Switzerland Innovation, KilSun Lee, Senior Executive Director, KOIIA