A memorandum of understanding has been signed, and the two clusters are actively looking for areas in which a closer French-Norwegian cooperation could be beneficial.
This week, Deputy Director Philippe Monbet at Pole Mer Bretagne Atlantique visited Kristiansand and Grimstad and met with GCE NODE and Mechatronics Innovation Lab. Earlier this year, GCE NODE’s RD&I Manager, Marianne Engvoll, visited Pôle Mer in France.
“Part of our objective is to establish activities through collaboration with other European clusters. GCE NODE shares our interests in the maritime industry, in digitalization and sustainability. After getting to know GCE NODE better, I only wish we had established this relationship sooner. It will be good for our members,” says Monbet.
The Pôle Mer Bretagne Atlantique and sister cluster Pôle Mer Méditerranée are marine science and technology clusters located in Brittany and Provence, whose remit is to promote economic competitiveness at a global level. They have a combined membership of over 600 that includes major companies, SMEs, public and private laboratories, universities and selective HE institutions, all of which are involved in the maritime field.
“We are pleased to have found a large European partner within the maritime field. This may provide opportunities for larger EU funded projects between Norway and France. We are excited to explore this further and to define specific cooperation opportunities,” say Marianne Engvoll and Isabelle-Louise Aabel at GCE NODE.
Three main objectives in the MoU between GCE NODE and Pôle Mer Bretagne Atlantique are:
- Enhance research collaboration and innovation within the maritime sector.
- Support collaborative bilateral projects for both parties and respective parties’ members (including EU projects).
- Promote business developments
