The European Commission launched the Asia IT&C Programme in 1999 in order to co-finance mutually beneficial partnerships in Information Technology and Communication between Europe and Asia.
The Programme can supply up to 80% co-financing to Information Technology and Communication projects proposed by a consortium of organisations from the EU and participating Asian countries/territories.
Intensifying co-operation between Europe and Asia is central to strengthening economic relations across both regions, and in creating opportunities to develop and share in the overwhelming benefits IT&C provides.

• To promote IT&C cooperation between Europe and Asia non-profit organisations, to the benefit in particular - but not exclusively - of Small and Medium Entreprises (SMEs)



• To link Asia with Europe in the search for compatible solutions and standards



• To realise that long-lasting relationship between Europe and Asia, in Partnerships and joint innovations of mutual relevance may flourish

• Society:
• active citizenship
• culture and recreation
• quality of life
• accessibility and transparency in administration

• Health:
• electronic health networks
• intelligent patient environments
• information systems
• regulation

• Education:
• removal of illiteracy
• improving levels of participation in education
• improving the quality of, and accessiblity to education

• Agriculture:
• internet connexions and communication
• modelling
• management information systems and geographical information systems
• remote sensing
• glogal positioning systems
• computer-assisted education and training
• various dedicated software applications/consultancy services
• research and environmental monitoring
• natural hazards
• aerial photography and precision farming

• e-commerce:
• security
• identification of the customer
• wired data transmission speed
• intelligent information
• software assistance
• legal framework
• taxation

• Tourism:
• internet connexions and communication
• standards and quality control
• computer-assisted education and training
• integration of IT and marketing services
• various dedicated software applications and modelling
• data banks and statistics
• forums and events for information exchange
• strategic planning

• Transport:
• development of the overall transportation chain
• assistance, control and follow-up
• forecasting facilities

• i-manufacturing:
• future generation machines and equipment
• neural networks, fuzzy logic, expert systems and Artificial Intelligence applied to manufacturing systems
• advanced processing of materials
• machine control and real time sensing
• analysis, definition or extention of international and/or national standards
• improve understanding of organisational, industrial, economic, legal, policy and social challenges faced by organisations as they strive to leverage new manufacturing solutions
• information system in manufacturing
• internet connections and communications
• sustainable and environmentally friendly manufacturing