(from InfoTech)
Taskforce keen to hear government views MONDAY , 24 FEBRUARY 2003 By ADRIENNE PERRY The Information and Communications Technology Taskforce will find out what government officials think about its ideas for boosting New Zealand's ICT industry when it meets with IT Minister Paul Swain this week. Since the taskforce issued its draft report in November several government departments have been looking at the feasibility of its recommendations, including IRD, Education, and Research, Science and Technology. Informal feedback on their views will be provided by Mr Swain in his first meeting with the taskforce since the draft was issued. The report made recommendations in several arenas, all aimed at producing 100 ICT companies in New Zealand turning over more than $100 million by 2012. This would raise ICT from 4 to 10 per cent of GDP. Public meetings have been held in several centres since November to discuss the report. A large number of submissions have been received by taskforce chairman Murray McNae. "The overall tone has been very positive, indicating we're on the right track," he says. A final report will be issued, and implementation decisions are eagerly awaited, by the ICT sector in particular. The taskforce was one of four created following Prime Minister Helen Clark's Growth and Innovation framework unveiled early last year, when she highlighted ICT, biotechnology and the creative industries as critical to New Zealand's economic growth. The ICT taskforce's report recommended emphasis be put on developing managerial and entrepreneurial skills, particularly to assist companies trying to break into offshore markets. It said that much more focus is needed in the education sector on ICT, and continuing import of skilled migrants is also critical. It looked at a raft of other issues, including government department purchase of Kiwi ICT, and allowing Kiwi ICT companies to write off all development expenditure. Carol Webb WebbWords 32 Lindsay St St Albans Christchurch Tel: 03 377-6402 E-mail: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Website: http://www.globe.net.nz/~carol --> via Canterbury Software email forum: Success through Connections Email your messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Searchable list archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] Leave or rejoin the list: http://canterburysoftware.org.nz/forum.htm
