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EC’s first ICT hub goes to EL
Posted on: Thursday, 18 November 2004. Article source: Daily Dispatch
Computer whizzes in the province will soon have cause to celebrate when an Information Technology (IT) hub is established in East London.
"The IT sector in the province is vibrant, but fragmented at the moment," said the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) Information and Communication Technology (ICT) manager Abu Abdullatief.
"The IT hub will bring players together to increase economic development of the sector and reduce unemployment in the province."
Through the Eastern Cape Information Technology Initiative (ECITI), barriers to entry for the region's fledgling ICT entrepreneurs will be lowered with the provision of physical infrastructure, mentorship and networking opportunities.
Emerging entrepreneurs will have access to computers and share a receptionist, telephone system, printer, meeting and conference rooms. The only cost to them will be their telephone bills and small percentage of the rent.
The ECITI, an independent, not-for-profit company, will focus on four core areas: ICT cluster development; business development; skills development and job creation.
The ICT initiative, which is funded by the ECDC and provincial government, is in the implementation stage.
"All we need now are premises in the city with the right location, accessibility and visibility," said project manager Bill Brander.
He described the hub as a rented office "block" with offices ranging from 10 to 30 square metres which should accommodate between 20 and 25 companies.
"There will basically be two types of tenants," said Brander. "Established organisations around three years old with a viable and sustainable business ready to grow, and emerging empowerment firms that need help to get established."
"There are a lot of people out there with good ideas that need help to get them out and develop them," said Brander.
"This province produces world-class IT people and we need to keep that human capital instead of exporting it. The future is IT enabled."
Interested parties should contact Brander at the ECDC and are advised that applicants will have to meet certain criteria in order to secure their place in the IT hub.
"The IT sector in the province is vibrant, but fragmented at the moment," said the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) Information and Communication Technology (ICT) manager Abu Abdullatief.
"The IT hub will bring players together to increase economic development of the sector and reduce unemployment in the province."
Through the Eastern Cape Information Technology Initiative (ECITI), barriers to entry for the region's fledgling ICT entrepreneurs will be lowered with the provision of physical infrastructure, mentorship and networking opportunities.
Emerging entrepreneurs will have access to computers and share a receptionist, telephone system, printer, meeting and conference rooms. The only cost to them will be their telephone bills and small percentage of the rent.
The ECITI, an independent, not-for-profit company, will focus on four core areas: ICT cluster development; business development; skills development and job creation.
The ICT initiative, which is funded by the ECDC and provincial government, is in the implementation stage.
"All we need now are premises in the city with the right location, accessibility and visibility," said project manager Bill Brander.
He described the hub as a rented office "block" with offices ranging from 10 to 30 square metres which should accommodate between 20 and 25 companies.
"There will basically be two types of tenants," said Brander. "Established organisations around three years old with a viable and sustainable business ready to grow, and emerging empowerment firms that need help to get established."
"There are a lot of people out there with good ideas that need help to get them out and develop them," said Brander.
"This province produces world-class IT people and we need to keep that human capital instead of exporting it. The future is IT enabled."
Interested parties should contact Brander at the ECDC and are advised that applicants will have to meet certain criteria in order to secure their place in the IT hub.
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