AAS Magazine Vol 1 March 2017 Mar. 2017 Vol 1 | Page 10

The new Landing Pad will bring together startups, research institutions, multinational corporations and leading technology players to promote innovation, research and development.

On the 13th March, AAS Representatives joined the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Julie Bishop MP, Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, the Hon Steven Ciobo MP Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, Senator the Hon Arthur Sinodinos AO at the Australian High Commission. They were there to celebrate the launch of the Reverse Colombo Plan and

the launch of Australia’s Landing Pad in Singapore with Singapore’s Minister for Trade and Industry S. Iswaran.

Australia and Singapore recognise the importance of innovation to modern and dynamic economies, and this is a key pillar of our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP). The Landing Pad is a concrete example of our commitment.

Australia’s Landing Pad program is part of our National Innovation and Science Agenda and is designed to assist Australian entrepreneurs to bring their ideas to market and build successful enterprises.

The initiative assists Australian startups in cutting edge industries, including services, to build new export market opportunities.

The Singapore Landing Pad is one of five to be established by Australia in major innovation hubs around the world. Australia’s network of Landing Pads also includes facilities in Berlin, San Francisco, Shanghai and Tel Aviv.

With more than 3,500 multinational companies headquartered in Singapore, the Landing Pad will give Australian entrepreneurs access to a network of contacts and opportunities, providing a gateway to more than 600 million consumers across Southeast Asia.

Singapore’s attractiveness for Australian startups is underpinned by its dynamic venture capital and investment community, and its reputation as one of Asia’s leading research and development centres.

The Landing Pad initiative will strengthen Australia’s already close bilateral ties with Singapore, and deliver meaningful outcomes for business in both countries.

Photo: Singapore’s Minister for Trade and Industry, S. Iswaran; Australian High Commissioner to Singapore, HE. Mr Bruce Gosper, Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Julie Bishop MP, Joseph Ziegler, LandingPad Manager, Austrade; Steve Leonard, CEO SGInnovate.

LANDING PAD IN SINGAPORE