Mission économique
The Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce has the pleasure to inform you that the European Commission is organising a combined Circular Economy Mission to Singapore and Malaysia from 5th to 12th June 2019, led by Mr Daniel Calleja, Director General DG Environment, European Commission. The mission will focus on waste management (plastics, marine litter, construction, e-waste, solid and domestic waste), sustainable finance, urban issues and water (non-exclusive list).
The South East Asia region is facing a major challenge in keeping the delicate balance of environmental sustainability and economic development. The region is endowed with rich natural resources but is highly populated. Increased population and rapid economic growth have had negative environmental consequences. Urban issues are especially prominent in megacities such as Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.
Singapore has rapidly developed as an Asian Tiger economy, based on external trade and its skilled workforce. It has however so far maintained a high standard of environmental quality. Conscious of the need to put in place effective and efficient waste management systems, Singapore has designated 2019 as the Year Towards Zero Waste. The country is the largest trading and investment partner of the EU in the region and the EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement and Investment Protection Agreement signed in October 2018 are the cornerstones of our economic ties.
As an emerging economy, Malaysia is an important partner for the EU. It is the EU's 2nd largest trade partner in the South East Asia region. Malaysia’s rapid industrialization supported by foreign investment has however resulted in pollution problems that particularly affect urban areas.
The Circular Economy Mission will begin in Singapore on 5th June with meetings with national and local authorities allowing to introduce the EU participants and to get insights on Singapore's needs and concerns on environment and sustainable development but also on challenges of doing business in Singapore. This mission will be organised back-to-back with the Ecosperity Week, gathering global business leaders, policy-makers, investors, entrepreneurs and academia to drive action on sustainable development and the Innovate4Climate conference (I4C) which focusses on climate finance, climate investment and climate markets. Business meetings between Singapore and European businesses will provide businesses and investors the opportunity to identify cooperation on technology exchanges and business opportunities.
On 7th June late afternoon, the business delegation will travel from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur. The Malaysian leg of the mission will begin on Monday 10th June where a conference as well as meetings with key circular economy leaders and Malaysian authorities will take place. The Enhanced Regional EUASEAN Dialogue Instrument (E-READI), an instrument which facilitates EU-ASEAN dialogue on common issues including environment, will also organize a workshop on circular economy on 12th June.
The programme which includes high level and technical meetings with public authorities and business organisations will be available soon. Participation is free of charge but travel arrangements and accommodation costs are under the responsibility of each participant.
If you are interested in registering for the EU Circular Economy Mission, you are kindly requested to duly complete the online registration form no later than April 30th, 2019. For further information, feel free to contact Ms Sabrina Aksil / Ms Na Shi (Asia@cc.lu -T:+352 42 39 39-374/364).