Meeting of the Working Party on Euro-Mediterranean Industrial Cooperation Brussels, 15.11.2011 Framework for Promoting Cluster Cooperation with South Mediterranean Countries Hélène-Diane Dage, Deputy Head of Unit Support to Industrial Innovation Unit

Promoting Cluster Excellence to Facilitate Cluster Cooperation Clusters play an important role in the EU to support group of SMEs on various aspects such as access to finance, access to new markets, IPR, and facilitation of research and business partnerships Cluster organisations are instrumental to provide customised support services to SMEs and facilitate cooperation with strategic partners Cluster cooperation starts with strong clusters organisations A number of tools have been developed at EU level to promote excellence in cluster management What works well in Europe could also be used and promoted in South Mediterranean countries: there is scope for valorising tools in cluster management in Med countries.

Framework for Cluster Cooperation The European Cluster Collaboration Platform (ECCP) an open online platform rich in information and services an efficient tool to learn from others and share experience a marketing portal to increase international visibility of clusters Generate new cooperation opportunities between cluster organisations/cluster firms within Europe and beyond Europe Memorandum of Understandings promoting international cluster cooperation signed between the ECCP and The European Business and Technology Centre (New Dehli, India) – Dec. 2010 The EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation (Tokyo) – Feb. 2011 The Permanent Work Group on Local Productive Systems, Ministry of Industry (Brazil) – May 2011 The Korea Industrial Complex Corporation (Seoul) – Oct. 2011

Cluster Cooperation with South Mediterranean Countries Scope for signing MoU on cluster cooperation - first step with Tunisia and Egypt in 2012 Identification of areas with largest potential for cooperation between clusters eg. renewable energy and clean-tech, creative industries and tourism. International match-making events for cluster organisations – 2012-2013 Plan to organise 5 match-making events between European clusters and international partners outside Europe Building upon MoUs signed by the European Cluster Collaboration Platform Identification of a host to facilitate the organisation of the event Mapping and profiling of cluster activities from Europe and third countries in the seclected strategic area

European Cluster Collaboration Platform: For more information Helene-Diane.Dage@ec.europa.eu Christophe.Guichard@ec.europa.eu European Cluster Collaboration Platform: www.cluster-collaboration.eu