Singapore

Background

In recent years, Singapore has emerged as an important innovation country in a number of strategic and cutting-edge technologies. With its strong anchoring in research and innovation, the country is a priority partner for Sweden and our innovation ecosystem.

Singapore is one of the most innovative nations in the world and has been identified as the country in South and Southeast Asia where Sweden would benefit most from a Vinnova presence to strengthen Sweden's global innovation and competitiveness.

Singapore's position as a regional center for innovation, with a strong international presence of multinational companies, start-ups, international research actors and banks are good reasons for a deepened innovation cooperation between Sweden and Singapore. Sweden's foreign trade strategy singles out Southeast Asia as a priority region. Singapore is a strong hub in Southeast Asia and an establishment there can pave the way for Swedish investments in other Asian countries.

Sweden's foreign trade strategy

A two-year pilot project

Vinnova's innovation scout will be stationed at the Swedish embassy to promote Swedish innovation and innovation collaborations between the countries, as well as to strengthen Team Sweden in Singapore. The mission involves being a bridge between the Swedish and Singaporean innovation systems with the goal of establishing long-term and value-creating innovation collaborations between Sweden and Singapore. The work to strengthen the ties between innovative companies and research environments in Sweden and Singapore will be particularly important.

Through our efforts, we can identify opportunities, mobilize actors and finance collaborations, and connect two of the world's most innovative ecosystems. This contributes to Vinnova's overall objective to open up to innovations that make a difference and create sustainable global growth.

We work to create interest in Sweden as an innovation country in Singapore, as well as to create interest in Singapore as an innovation country in Sweden. We help Swedish actors to find relevant contacts in Singapore, and Singaporean actors to find relevant contacts in Sweden.

An example of an ongoing effort is EARTH Alliance within Climate Tech which aims to accelerate the development and implementation of technologies that help the world reach its climate goals. It is a collaboration between Sweden and other small, smart countries.

Singapore is an associated country within EUREKA and has also started discussions to become an associated country to Horizon Europe.

Vinnova will carry out a number of delegation trips in the coming years, including in sustainable precision health, foodtech, quantum and synthetic biology as well as sustainable mobility and sustainable cities.