On April 13, sponsored by Jiangsu Provincial Department of Science and Technology and the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic and organized by Jiangsu Center of International Technology Transfer, the (China) Jiangsu-Czech joint R&D call for proposals 2021 webinar was held in Nanjing in a bid to further promote the scientific and technological innovation cooperation between Jiangsu and the Czech Republic and the R&D cooperation between enterprises of both sides. This is the first scientific and technological innovation exchange program held both online and offline by Jiangsu and the Czech Republic.

According Director Zhao Yangwei from the Division of International Cooperation of Jiangsu Provincial Department of Science and Technology, Jiangsu has always regarded the Czech Republic as one of its key cooperation partners. Jiangsu Provincial Department of Science and Technology and the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic signed a memorandum of understanding on scientific and technological cooperation in 2015 and launched the first round of joint project solicitation for Jiangsu-Czech Bilateral Co-funding R&D Program in 2017. The governments, companies, universities and institutes of the two sides have strengthened exchanges and cooperation in S&T innovation and embraced a broad prospect for cooperation in many high-tech fields. Táňa Perglová, Director of the Cross-cutting and International Activities Section Director of the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic extended congratulations on the convening of the event and introduced the major responsibilities of the Technology Agency in supporting domestic and international cooperation on industry-university-research innovation, urging for enhanced cooperation on more projects.

Representatives from Jiangsu and the Czech Republic introduced the Jiangsu-Czech Bilateral Co-funding R&D Program in detail, and invited companies and organizations supported by the bilateral project to share their successful experience in cooperation. Three organizations from the Czech Republic carried out project roadshows, and representatives of seven Jiangsu enterprises and organizations released their needs of innovation cooperation in areas such as smart transportation, bio-brewing technology, photovoltaic power generation, etc. Representatives of more than 50 companies and institutions from the Czech Republic and Jiangsu participated in the event online and offline. Many companies in Jiangsu developed keen interest in technical cooperation with their counterparts from the Czech Republic. Jiangsu Center of International Technology Transfer will follow up their future cooperation.