VIENNA, Oct. 21 (Xinhua) -- The 22nd Brand Global Summit kicked off in Vienna on Tuesday, focusing on regional cooperation, brand internationalization and new opportunities to strengthen economic and trade ties between China and Europe, particularly China and Austria.
Co-organized by the European Brand Institute, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization and the government of Austria's eastern state of Lower Austria, among others, the event brought together more than 100 representatives from government departments, international organizations, businesses, and the branding, finance and consulting sectors.
Simon Ortner, head of the department for International and European Affairs of Lower Austria, said the region offers convenient access to many cities across Europe, Asia and other parts of the world, making Lower Austria an attractive destination for international investment and cooperation.
Lower Austria has maintained close cooperation with China's Zhejiang Province for many years, with cooperation focused on technology, research and higher education, Ortner said.
Xie Xiaoyun, director of administration for market regulation of Zhejiang Province, said there is considerable room for cooperation between Zhejiang and the European Union in trade, investment and people-to-people exchanges.
Looking ahead, the province looks forward to deepening cooperation with European partners in areas such as the digital economy, smart manufacturing and green development, Xie said.
Hannes Meissner, managing partner of Austrian political risk and strategic advisory firm LM-PRISK, said combining Austria's specialized expertise with China's vast market would create substantial potential for future bilateral cooperation.
Participants noted that regional cooperation has become increasingly important amid a complex and changing global landscape. They called for stronger connectivity and greater mutual trust between regions to promote more effective cooperation. ■