The Minister for Presidency, Economy and Enterprise for the Government of Andorra, Jordi Gallardo, participated on Thursday in the GSIC Summit which was held for the first time in Singapore with the aim of connecting sports technology ecosystems from all continents with the Asian market. Andorran participation falls within the framework of the collaboration agreement signed by GSIC powered by Microsoft, Andorra Business and Andorra Research + Innovation.
During the summit´s inaugural day the effects of innovation on large sporting events were debated and analyzed and work sessions took place for startups with actors and investors from the Asian sports industry.
Main topics such as sponsorship, the creation of new sources of income, fan participation, the metaverse and sports, were jointly worked on with representatives from governments and entities from Australia, the United States, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Finland, Singapore and Andorra. Gallardo presented the economic, innovation and impulse of the sports sector model. He also highlighted the Principality´s potential as a top-level mountain and high-altitude training destination throughout the year, future projects being worked on and the added value priority sectors being promoted by the country.
Gallardo pointed out “we were able to explain the diversification strategy and the direction being taken in the sector, specifically in sports and e-sports, and everything connected to digital transformation and innovation of the new economy”.
The General Director of Microsoft Sports Business, Sebastian Lancestremere, stated that “we are very pleased to have had Andorra´s participation in this congress and their contributions in conjunction with those of the other delegations and we are sure that they will serve in all of their respective national strategies”.
In parallel meetings were held with the main actors of Singapore´s sports sector with whom knowledge was exchanged and advances made in terms of developing working as a network. Some of the participating entities were: Sport Singapore, ONE Championship, ONE Esports, IMG, Infront Sports, Sports Hub, Porsche, SAS, LaLiga Tech, Southworks, Microsoft, Football Association of Singapore, Lion City Sailors and FIBA 3X3.
Gallardo also analyzed with the Minister of Commerce, Industry, Culture and Youth from the Government of Singapore, Alvin Tan, a memorandum of collaboration in matters of investment, startups and innovation.
He later met with the directors of SGTech, the leading commercial association of the technological industry in Singapore which encompasses over 1000 companies ranging from the main multinational corporations, large local companies, medium and small businesses and innovation startups. It is the largest community in Singapore where companies converge to defend change and enhance that which allows technological innovation and acceleration.
The minister´s work sessions were completed with meetings with representatives from the Blockchain Association Singapore and the Pixel innovation center.
The Secretary of State for Economic Diversification and Innovation, Marc Galabert, held meetings with directors of renowned bio-tech companies from Singapore.