Mongolian delegation visits Technology Centre Prague, paving the way for concrete cooperation

Technology Centre Prague welcomed a Mongolian delegation on Wednesday, 7 October, focusing on investment, innovation, entrepreneurship and scientific and technological development. The meeting  took place in a constructive and cordial atmosphere and resulted in a number of concrete proposals for further cooperation.

The delegation was headed by Bilegt Zandan, Acting Director-General of the Investment and Trade Agency of Mongolia. Other participants included Orolmaa Munkhbat, Director of the Science Park of Mongolia, representatives of the Mongolian business sector, and Bayarjargal Turgenbayar, Counsellor at the Embassy of Mongolia in the Czech Republic.

Start-ups, European funding and tailored support

One of the main topics discussed was support for Mongolian start-ups seeking to enter the European market and identify suitable funding opportunities. The discussions also outlined potential cooperation in the area of advisory and consultancy services that could help Mongolian organisations and researchers engage more effectively with Horizon Europe, the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation.

Depending on the needs of the Mongolian side, Technology Centre Prague is prepared to develop a tailored training programme on Horizon Europe, building on its existing training modules and expertise. The training could be delivered online.

Highly educated Mongolians in Czechia as a bridge for closer cooperation

The discussion also touched on the position of Mongolian citizens in the Czech labour market. Counsellor Bayarjargal Turgenbayar noted that Mongolian citizens represent the fifth-largest group of foreign workers in Czechia. At the same time, he pointed out that many of them work in manual occupations despite having a high level of education and professional qualifications.

Making better use of their knowledge, skills and qualifications could create further opportunities for closer cooperation between the Czech Republic and Mongolia.

From an initial meeting to concrete cooperation

The visit created a valuable opportunity to explore further cooperation between the two countries. The discussions identified concrete potential for joint activities, particularly in supporting innovation and start-ups, facilitating participation in European research and innovation programmes, and developing professional capacities.

Technology Centre Prague would like to thank the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Mongolia and the Embassy of Mongolia in the Czech Republic for facilitating the contact and supporting the development of this cooperation.

The meeting will now be followed by working-level discussions focused on preparing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), exploring ways to support Mongolian organisations in participating in Horizon Europe, and developing concrete forms of cooperation in the areas of start-ups, innovation and professional training.