Swedish representatives from companies, academia and authorities visited three Indian cities last week to strengthen the cooperation between Sweden and India and share knowledge in innovation and sustainable city solutions.
A Swedish delegation visited Pune, Mumbai and Panjim last week to share solutions and knowledge in innovation and sustainable solutions, but also to find concrete projects to collaborate in. The delegation met with local and regional representatives in the public and private sectors, as well as Indian authorities.
– The climate clock is ticking, and we need to be ready with innovative solutions to face the crises ahead. We need collaboration not only across sectors but also across borders. The aim of the delegation trip was to connect Swedish innovation and Indian innovation systems, says Rupali Deshmukh, Country Manager of India at IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, who led the delegation in India.
Joining from Sweden were 20 people, including representatives from academia and Swedish companies Envac, Nilsson Energy, Autonomize, Serneke International Group, Ecoloo, Autonomize, Cleantech Region, Hifab International AB and Husqvarna Group.
– Sweden and India have had a great exchange for many years and with this trip, we want to deepen the exchange in smart cities, where the focus is on environmental issues such as waste, water, mobility and energy. The trip gave us a chance to show how Sweden can contribute, says Gina Aspelin Hedbring, Project Manager at Smart City Sweden.
The delegation went on study visits and attended workshops, presentations, and matchmaking sessions with Indian government officers, urban planners, researchers, business leaders, and more.
– It was good to witness the fantastic exchange of ideas and concrete dialogues with the cities Pune, Mumbai and Panjim. I strongly believe that the outcome of this visit will result in next-generation smart city solutions developed by Swedish and Indian actors that will be tested in local conditions, ultimately helping to co-create the future together, says Deshmukh.
The smart city and Innovation Roadshow was organized by the Consulate General of Sweden in Mumbai, Vinnova, IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, Smart city Sweden, and Business Sweden India.
