In July 2016, EU Gateway | Business Avenues took 30 European innovative companies on a business mission for Environment & Water Technologies to Singapore and Vietnam.
The mission week coincided with the Singapore International Water Week, which allowed participant companies to showcase their latest solutions for the sector and meet industry-relevant stakeholders.
The second half of the mission week took the companies to Vietnam, a fast-growing and dynamic market with great demand for European innovations.
Participant companies included Pegasor, Solwa, Oxymem, HyGear and French company Ecoceane, represented by Engineer in Naval Architecture, Ivan Janeau.
Ecoceane specialises in designing and manufacturing tailor-made intervention vessels for oil spill, solid-waste recovery and other depollution, rescue and clean-up operations.
For Ecoceane, EU co-financing was what initially drew the company’s representatives to the programme.
The support permitted the company to start exploring the foreign markets at minimum risks and maximum return on investment.
EU Gateway | Business Avenues takes the cost side of things out of the equation.
Ecoceane found this to be an important factor as it could test a market with little financial burden, all while receiving expert market advice.
Furthermore, EU Gateway | Business Avenues provides on-site sector experts that help companies with market readiness assessments, industry regulations and import issues.
Another key for Ecoceane’s participation in the mission was the business matchmaking process, which put the company in touch with relevant stakeholders and partners, according to its wish list and requested partner profile.
The main feature of the programme is the onsite matchmaking team that works hard to invite various partners and customers to the mission’s exhibition and meetings. - Ivan Janeau, Engineer in Naval Architecture, Ecoceane (France)
In Singapore, Ecoceane encountered companies focused on polluted water cleaning and water quality measuring.
In Vietnam, companies were mostly interested in seaweed, duckweed and algae cleaning of inland waterways. Inland solid debris is one of Vietnam’s biggest challenges and Ecoceane is able to provide the most effective solution.
Despite very different market requests across the board, the company was equipped with useful expert input and could come up with a comprehensive strategic business development plan for South East Asia.
The company has tremendous potential in the region. With an active local offshore oil industry and extensive coastline, South East Asia is a region that needs oil spill emergency solutions like the ones provided by Ecoceane.
In both countries, the mission proved to be a win for Ecoceane, which managed to sign partner contracts with local companies (distributors and brokers) and met numerous other backers, like port authorities, local hotels, resorts, marines, and environment agencies.
Ecoceane is pleased with the outcomes of the business mission and has concluded collaborations on both markets.
In Singapore, Ecoceane has signed a broker’s agreement with Sim Power Pte Ltd., and in Vietnam, a distribution contract with AEEC - Asia Eco & Env Co., Ltd.
We would very much like to apply to other missions. Either to enter a new country to find local agents or to return to the same country to renew connections with previous contacts and meet end users instead of partners. – Ivan Janeau, Engineer in Naval Architecture, Ecoceane (France)
Following its successful participation, Ecoceane is willing to explore as many markets as possible with EU Gateway | Business Avenues.
South East Asia is a fast-developing region with countries situated at different stages of development and Ecoceane’s wide range of top-notch solutions is fit for a multitude of needs.
Is your company a provider of innovative solutions for the Environment and Water Technologies sector?
Find upcoming opportunities for European companies in the EU Gateway | Business Avenues calendar here.