ACS and AEEMA applaud Vic Govt ICT vision

Stan Beer
Wednesday, 14 December 2005 15:46

IT Industry - Market

The ACS (Australian Computer Society) and the Australian Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers' Association (AEEMA) have applauded  the Victorian Government ICT Industry Plan released yesterday, which seeks to turn the state into a globally renowned technology hot spot by 2010.

The vision for Victoria's ICT industry includes short-term targets of creating more than 800 new jobs and attracting investment of more than $150 million. The state's long-term international target is to boost the value of Victorian ICT exports to more than $1.5 billion annually.

The ACS said the state's ICT Industry Plan, unveiled by Victorian ICT Minister Marsha Thomson, creates a framework for the local ICT industry to undertake significant growth in the next five years and boost exports.

"The Victorian Government has crafted a realistic and sound vision for its ICT industry which is directly in line with the key policy platforms of the ACS," said outgoing ACS President Edward Mandla. "The ACS believes this industry plan is based on a solid understanding of the key issues in our industry, such as a firm focus on developing local ICT capabilities."

"The ACS has been promoting the export potential of Australia's local ICT companies for some time and we believe the State's focus on attracting investment and skills will reap great dividends in the next five years," said Mr Mandla. "We applaud the activist approach of the Victorian state government in recognizing the  value of ICT not only as a provider of jobs and exports, but also in making productivity contributions to the rest of the Victorian economy."

Commenting at the launch, Angus M Robinson, chief executive, AEEMA, said that the plan reaffirmed Victoria's leading role in shaping industry development strategies that were relevant to the rapid changes that are evolving globally.

"The Australian ICT industry needs to be engaging with world markets, particularly in the Greater China Region. With its strong focus on collaboration, the Plan is an excellent fit with the strategies of the AEEMA-led Australia Taiwan Strategic Framework Agreement for the Electronics/ICT industries of both countries," Mr Robinson said. "In this regard, AEEMA welcomes the continuing commitment in the Plan to work with industry associations in areas where there are common objectives and broad-based benefits to industry."

Mr Mandla said the ICT industry action plan also recognises the partnership opportunities with Indian ICT firms, and the potential to increase export growth by nurturing high-value specialist areas such as business system solutions, photonics and software solutions for industry.

"The ACS believes the future of Australia's ICT industry will rest upon the development and successful commercialisation of high-value knowledge-based information technology applications and solutions.  Minister Thomson has recognised this through the creation of an exciting and feasible ICT Industry Action Plan," Mr Mandla said.