A non-profit public-private partnership, the Cape IT Initiative (CITI) - which promotes the development of the knowledge economy in the Western Cape - is strengthening its ties with the Innovation Hub in Gauteng, to work for the greater benefit of the national ICT sector.
Although the partnership will be an informal one, it is aimed at consolidating the activities of both parties in the national ICT interest.
The Innovation Hub is part of the Gauteng government`s R1.7 billion Blue IQ project, under the auspices of the Strategic Economic Infrastructure Investment Programme (SEIIP). It is aimed at creating a home for the hi-tech entrepreneur, and is the only project in the SEIIP focusing on technology development.
In terms of the partnership, both parties will work together in promoting stronger links between the regions and in creating a more collaborative focus on cluster facilitation, including the sharing of knowledge resources and information on high-profile international delegations to SA.
CITI and the Innovation Hub will also share incubation facilities, meaning that the concept of reduced rates for start-ups seeking lower barriers to entry will be cross-communicated and supported by both parties.
"Although CITI focuses on developing the ICT cluster in the Western Cape, its overall aim is to facilitate the creation of jobs and prosperity through IT," says Judith Middleton, CITI`s marketing manager.
"Ultimately, both organisations are working to develop the ICT sector locally, for economic and social reasons. Skills development in the fast-growing field of IT offers considerable potential for longer-term job creation, while - at an economic level - development of the ICT sector will strengthen the attractiveness of SA for direct foreign investment and wealth creation."
"In terms of the ICT sector specifically, the results of recent research show that networking among emerging companies needs to be strengthened. Our partnering with CITI will help us to establish a platform for interaction among small and growing ICT companies," says Hub CEO, Dr Neville Comins.
"The intention is that the Hub will become the focal point of such a network in Gauteng by creating an environment that clusters together like-minded businesses where skilled people can share experiences and build businesses that compete globally," he says.
According to Middleton, the partnership will go a long way towards further building SA`s virtual community of ICT entrepreneurs, mentors, skills developers, researchers, public-private partnerships, businesses and other collaborators, thereby significantly strengthening the ICT sector throughout SA.
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