Science parks and economic diversification
| Friday March 28, 2014 13:47
In today’s fast world science and economic diversification go hand in hand to improve the strength of technology and independence in every country. One can’t possibly work without the other. To see satisfactory results, the implementations of both have to be to the best ability.
Science and technology parks around the world are very useful and their main aim is to increase the wealth of communities, by promoting the culture of innovation and the competiveness of its associated businesses knowledge-based institutions. For years on end innovation hubs have supported the growth of innovation companies across the sectors such as ICT, Biosciences, Green Technologies and Mining Technologies.
The Botswana government, under the auspices of the Economic Diversification Drive has undertaken to stimulate local production and consumption by procuring from locally based manufacturers and by giving people enough options in making their production easier.
According to the Ministry of Trade and Industry, to ensure that this purchasing power is leveraged, the government has introduced preference margins to give local manufacturers and service providers a competitive advantage when bidding for government jobs.
Botswana also aims to diversify the economy through a holistic and systematic development of globally competitive enterprises that need little or no government protection and support. Technology is a conduit into economic diversification that should eventually lead to a robust economy that is not over reliant on diamonds.
The government’s specific objectives are to develop globally competitive sectors; diversify exports and export markets through a vibrant and globally competitive private sector; develop goods and services that comply with local and international standards; and develop an entrepreneurship culture for business growth and enhanced citizen participation in the economy.
Achievement of these will ensure the noble aspirations of employment creation, wealth creation, poverty eradication, industrialisation and economic development.
We can finally be independent from looking into other countries for assistance whether in Agriculture, IT or the diamond trade because we will finally be able to do this on our own.
These issues and others pertaining to science parks will be addressed at the International Association of Science Parks (IASP) Africa Division Conference in Gaborone from April 9 to 11 at Gaborone International Convention Centre.
ALAN BOSHWAEN *
*Alan Boshwaen is the Botswana Innovation hub CEO