Global green growth requires a regional approach to eco-innovation through the lens of small and medium sized companies, which was on the agenda during the recent ASEM work group meeting at the Green Tech Centre in Vejle, Denmark. Through knowledge sharing and exchange of best practices across the Asian and European region, members of the work group discussed how eco-innovation could be a common driver for green business growth alongside peers from Rumania, the Czech Republic, Vietnam, Kyrgyzstan and South Korea. 

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“When we arrange meetings for the work group it is important to find the right location where green technologies are the centerpiece, and where small and medium-sized companies are making a difference, “says Lars Alrø Olesen from the ASEM SME Eco-Innovation Centre.  

ASEM is short for the Asia-Europe Meeting, not an organisation but a formalised network of Asian and European Countries. The ASEM initiatives, in this case eco innovation, are established based on the meetings every two years by the Head of States from 53 member states/organisations (EU+ASEAN). At these meetings, various themes of interest for the two regions are discussed and decided upon, and then it is up to the individual member-states to outline and implement exchange and program initiatives.

The ASEM Eco-Innovation theme was proposed and decided in 2010 at the Head of States meeting in Brussels and further endorsed at the Head of States meeting in Milan 2014. The aim of the Eco-Innovation initiative is to exchange best practice and knowledge across the two regions.

In addition to the work group meetings, concrete technologies from green Danish companies were presented to the work group, all of which based in Vejle, Denmark, comprising Solar Elements, the Energy and Climate Academy, Pure and Better Energy, Fair Wind and Sunstone.

“It is always impressive to see how small and medium-sized companies in Denmark have concrete technologies and solutions that are enabling a global green transition in an economically sustainable manner by implementing their projects across the world", says Dan Howis Lauritsen, Head of Communication at State of Green. 

The ASEM meeting concluded with the signing of an MoU between the Green Tech Center and the ASEM SME Eco-Innovation Center to underline further collaboration, ultimately benefitting the companies and export of their solutions.

The signed MoU between Mr. Jun Ho Won, chairman of the ASEM work group (left) 
and Mr. Jørgen Andersen, CEO of Green Tech Center (right). 

“We always work to create export platforms for the sake of our green SMEs, and with this MoU we hope to pave the way for Danish exports of green technologies to a number of Asian markets,” says Jørgen Andersen, CEO of Green Tech Center.

For more information, please contact Jørgen Andersen, CEO of Green Tech Center:

+45 4053 5337 / [email protected]