Botswana Innovation Hub (BIH) Chief Executive Officer, Alan Boshwaen, says Science and Technology Parks are sources of entrepreneurship, talent and economic competitiveness, and key elements of the infrastructure supporting the growth of today’s global knowledge economy.
Boshwaen said the first companies to be registered in the Science and Technology Park will benefit from a one-stop environment, providing all rounded premises and quality business services.
He said this will offer a truly world class business environment that complements the high technology image of companies operating in Botswana. He was speaking recently at the handing over of certificates of registration of the first BIH companies in Gaborone.
He said the nine companies of diverse offerings will be able to start benefiting immediately from the hub’s incentives and support services, and added that they are expected to move to the Science Technology Park when it is completed in 2013.
“The registration of these companies is another milestone achievement as the hub takes shape in terms of both buildings and the programmes,” said Boshwaen.
He further stated that the success of the BIH companies shall be measured by the performance of the different entities housed and operating within the park.
The registered companies of BIH included Southern Mapping, UB, AoB Academe, Weblogic, National Food Technology Research Centre, Kaelekae, RenderHeads, Tirisano Consulting and Bauer-Dewet Equipment. According to Boshwaen, the pioneering companies and institutions are giving concrete expression and tangible steps to achieving the hub’s vision.
“It is mostly in my view about sparking creativity, interconnectedness, dialogues, that would not otherwise happen,” said Boshwaen.
For his part, Head of Marketing and Strategy for Ericsson Sub Saharan Africa, Shiletsi Makhofane, said innovation is generally challenged by climate and environment, aging population, scarce resources, public sector efficiency and poverty. He stated that in the networked society, people, knowledge, devices, and information are networked for the growth of society, life and business.
Makhofane observed that in the trend towards urbanization, cities have become the engine for humanity and will drive development in all industries. He said ICT will play a key role in the ability of cities to grow economically, socially and environmentally. He further stated that globally, 50,000 people move from rural to urban areas every day, adding that 70 percent of the world’s population will live in cities by the year 2050.
“We have places, people, and we are now connected in the world of connections with innovations,” said Makhofane.
