February 26, 2009, Ottawa, ON — A new two-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), between the National Research Council Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP) and Spain's Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology (CDTI), will foster cooperation between small- and-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from both countries in their joint research and development activities.
"I am very pleased to see that both countries will benefit from ongoing exchanges of innovative technology ideas," said the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State, Science and Technology for the Government of Canada. "This new MoU promotes an entrepreneurial advantage through global science and technology opportunities and will strengthen Canada and Spain's knowledge base."
NRC-IRAP and CDTI share common objectives to support SMEs in their technology transfer, industrial research, technological development and innovation activities. The Memorandum of Understanding between NRC-IRAP and NRC-IRAP and CDTI provides a mechanism for SMEs from Canada and Spain to access global SME support networks needed to be competitive in the current economic environment.
"This MoU will provide the right linkages for SMEs in Canada and Spain to develop technologies that benefit both our countries," stated NRC President Dr. Pierre Coulombe.
"We are proud of the relationship we have developed with Canada," added Maurici Lucena, General Director, NRC-IRAP and CDTI. "We look forward to the science and technology advancements for our firms that this MoU will help foster."
NRC-IRAP provides a range of both technical and business oriented advisory services along with potential financial support to growth-oriented Canadian SMEs. The program is delivered by an extensive integrated network of 260 professionals in 100 communities across the country. Working directly with clients, NRC-IRAP supports their innovative research and development and helps them become commercialization-ready with their new products and services. NRC-IRAP has established relationships with organizations which share many of NRC-IRAP's objectives in supporting innovative SMEs in countries such as Spain, France, and Ireland. These accords allow for mutual collaboration and are an opportunity to build greater cooperation between Canadian and international firms as well as research institutions that continue to make headway in all areas of innovation.
For more information, please visit the NRC Web site at http://www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca or contact:
Natalie Hall
Media Relations Officer
National Research Council
Tel: (613) 990-6091
Email: Natalie.Hall@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca
Renée Trépanier
Communications Manager
NRC Industrial Research Assistance Program
Tel: (613) 993-6741
Email: Renee.Trepanier@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca
