Tecnopolis operates since many years in the framework of the internationalization of its activities and of the local system. In fact, Tecnopolis has consolidated a wide European network with the aim of transferring research results and new technologies. Since 1997 Tecnopolis started new relationships with East- Europe countries and Mediterranean basin areas with the objective of realizing associated international network addressed to strengthen new alliances, for supporting SME requirements in the context of the global market.

Tecnopolis is inscribed in CCR (Central Consultancy Register) of the EU suggesting consultants and organizations able to support and accompany consultancy and training actions in East-Europe Countries.

Cooperation with Balkan and East-Europe Countries

Montenegro Republic (former Federal Republic of Yugoslavia)

In December 1997 an agreement of scientific and technology cooperation between Italian Republic and Federal Republic of Yugoslavia has been signed; Tecnopolis is the project leader on “Development & Technology Transfer in the new technologies sector” that is developing with the collaboration of Electronic Engineering Department of Podgorica University. The war in the Balkan area stopped these activities, but not the cooperation with Montenegro. Programs and project for tourism, agri-food and SME assistance are in advanced phase of development, aim to sustain the local development endogenous process.

Albania Republic

In the first semester of ’98 Tecnopolis with the precious collaboration of “CNA Puglia”, has presented to the Albanian Government the idea realizing a “Center for the Albanian Small Medium Enterprise Development” with the task of supporting training, technology transfer and business incubator activities. The ABDCI (Albania Business Development Center for Innovation) main objective is to guarantee to the Albanian Government the technical, managerial and business assistance in the activities addressed to the innovation.

More, in 1998 and 1999, Tecnopolis has participated with the Apulian Government to the first two edition of Albanian “Levante” fair. The main objective of Universities and Apulian area Research Centers (Bari and Lecce Universities, Bari Politecnico, Tecnopolis, Bari Laser Centre, Brindisi Pastis, INFN, INFM, Bari and Lecce CNR areas) has been, not only to take to Albania 200 Italian enterprises, but also to start up a more systematic dialogue with the Albanian research world.

Tecnopolis was charged by Apulia Region Government of the design and management of a first course for Italian emigrants in South America countries (Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Venezuela).

In May 2000 another cooperation started with the Albanian Geological Service for the automation of maps and archives and the training of the personnel.

Slovenia Republic

In April 1999 a scientific and technological cooperation Protocol between Italian Republic and Slovenia has been signed: Tecnopolis is active with the Trieste Science Park Area and ICS-UNIDO (International Centre for Science and High Technology), Chopper Municipality and Libyan University in the sectors: Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing applied to agriculture, environment, urban areas and fishery. Technology transfer, development, and training in the new technologies sector addressed to Slovenian SME. Technical assistance in the new enterprises creation (incubators and industrial districts start-up)

Greece and Balkan Area Countries

In 1999, a scientific and technology cooperation agreement between Italian republic and Greece was signed; Tecnopolis is engaged together with the Bra Polytechnic, the University of Basilica and the Energy Office of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace in the environment sector and particularly in the industrial systems sustainable management.

The Greece Municipalities of Xanthi e Thessaloniki, with others belonging to Ukraine, Hungary and Polonia, were partners in the project Urban Technology Network (INTERREG II - CADSES) , in which Tecnopolis represents the point of reference for Apulian Region.

Tecnopolis CSATA managed a pilot action of INTERREG II – A, Greece-Italy with CTI to promote the adoption of Web technologies for commerce, tourism and cultural heritage.

Pan-European Corridor N.8

Tecnopolis is member of the round table promoted by Apulian Region for the Paneuropean Network of integrated transport – “Corridor n. 8 also named “Levante Community”. This corridor starts in Apulia Region and through Durazzo, Tirana, Skopje, Sofia, Plovdiv and Burgas arrives to Varna, on the Black Sea. The activity started with the Memorandum signed in February ’94 at Sofia among the Republics of Albania, Italy, Bulgaria, Macedonia and Turkey. Main objective is to develop the scientific, technological and bilateral/multilateral cooperation, dedicated to the integration of countries in the Europe economic structures.

Tecnopolis is now working with the Regional Government and the Levante Fair on the “Virtual Table”: a WEB site supporting the dialogue and the participation of public and private subjects to the development process in the area covered by the corridor.

In 2001 Tecnopolis designed and managed a course for Italian and Albanian professionals on the subjects of international cooperation. The course was financially supported by Apulia Region.

Other Countries

Contacts and agreements on specific topics are active with Czech Republic, Croatia, Polony and Bulgaria.

Cooperation with Mediterranean

Arabian Republic of Egypt

Four bilateral agreements with Arabian Republic of Egypt, two of which with industrial associations and single enterprises, are effective. Particularly, the agreement with the industrial associations has the purpose of extending business opportunities of Italian and Egyptian enterprises operating in high tech sectors. Furthermore, Tecnopolis, since February ‘98, is involved in scientific and technology cooperation agreement between Italian Republic and Arabian Republic of Egypt.

In the electronic and automation sector Tecnopolis, together with Egyptian Institutes of the Research and Industry Ministries, is creating a public/private centre devoted to assist Egyptian SMEs in innovating their own products and services.

Republic of Tunisia

In May 1999 an agreement with the Tunis Telecommunications Technology Park was signed; it provides different joint initiatives, as follows:

strategic sharing of Tunis Telecommunications Technology Park management;

creation of new enterprises in Tunis;

organisation of seminars, workshops and conferences of common interest; technology transfer and specialised training;

Italian-Tunisian joint ventures creation in the “Ariane” Park area.

Tecnopolis on behalf of UNIDO is involved in IBIS (International Business Incubation Systems) programme, for organising incubation services inside Tunis Telecommunications Technology Park. Tecnopolis main task starts up in the phase of entrepreneurs international training "on the job" and in the improvement of ten-years experience in the enterprises creation dedicated to high tech SMEs.

Palestinian Territories

Tecnopolis has signed an agreement with the Palestinian Authorities and the Arabian University of Jerusalem for supporting enterprises working in innovative fields: this agreement in particular forecasts the realisation of the Al-Quds Innovation Centre, built on the base of Tecnopolis’s experience for the Innovation Relay Centre IRIDE.

Libya

In 2000 Tecnopolis started working with the Industrial Research Centre created by the Government to assist Libyan companies in applied research, feasibility studies of new initiatives and advanced education.

Morocco

In February 2000, Tecnopolis and the Chamber of Commerce of Marrakech signed a general agreement for technical cooperation: it aims to improve exchanges of information on technical and scientific subjects, exchanges of teachers, students and consultants, assistance for the creation of Science Parks, business incubators, technology transfer and advanced education.

In 2001 Tecnopolis signed another protocol with the Science Faculty of the Semlalia University in Marrakech for the elaboration of common projects. Libya

In 2000 Tecnopolis started working with the Industrial Research Centre created by the Government to assist Libyan companies in applied research, feasibility studies of new initiatives and advanced education.