On March 3rd, 2006, British Columbia Innovation Council and the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) of the People's Republic of China (PRC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to initiate a joint strategic development program focusing on innovation and commercialization.
British Columbia Innovation Council is the lead provincial agency in creating conditions for top-tier innovation and commercialization within the province and MOST, the PRC's central government agency under the State Council, is responsible for national science and technology activities.
The goal of the MOU is to cultivate opportunities in research and technology development for the shared economic interests of both jurisdictions. The MOU outlines a cooperative approach to further develop and share technical expertise as well as commercialization opportunities in fields of interest that include:
- Biotechnology, medical devices and food quality;
- Information technology including software, telecommunications and multimedia;
- Environment, clean energy and waste management;
- Natural resources including oceans technology; forestry, forest products and wood building materials; aquaculture and aquatic sciences; agriculture; and
- Research, innovation and business training.
