Industry Capability Network

LAUNCH OF $25M INDUSTRY COOPERATIVE INNOVATION PROGRAM

Ministers - Industry, Tourism and Resources  Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane today launched the Australian Government’s $25 million Industry Cooperative Innovation Program which will assist business-to-business cooperation on innovation projects to improve the competitiveness of industry sectors. “The program has been designed to address strategic industry needs, particularly those that have been identified in the Action Agendas, which will help to increase the productivity and growth of Australian industries”, Mr Macfarlane said.

$500M LOW EMISSIONS TECHNOLOGY FUND TAKES FINAL SHAPE

Ministers - Industry, Tourism and Resources  “Submissions are now being called from energy industry stakeholders as part of the consultation process that will determine the detail of the key low emissions program announced in the Australian Government’s Energy White Paper last year.  The $500 million Low Emissions Technology Demonstration Fund (LETDF) is being established to stimulate greater investment in demonstrating low-emission technologies across the full spectrum of energy sources.”

Australian Trade Minister Helps Introduce Holden Flagship Cars To South Korea

From Auto Spectator: “The Federal Trade Minister, the Hon. Mark Vaile, will help General Motors introduce the Holden designed and manufactured GM Daewoo Statesman prestige car to South Korea. The Australian Embassy has been confirmed as GM Daewoo’s first customer, taking official delivery of the first three Statesman in Seoul today (31 May 2005)”

Breakthrough for WTO Tariff Reduction

Harold Doan and Associates Ltd. “In a major breakthrough toward progressing the World Trade Organization (WTO) trade negotiations, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) economies have agreed for the first time on a common formula for tariff reductions for industrial goods.”

Overhaul of industry aid urged in Victoria

From theage.com.au  “Victorian taxpayers have spent millions funding companies that end up shedding jobs or closing down, prompting calls for an overhaul of the State Government's grant assistance scheme.”

SHOWCASE MK11

ICNL is currently developing a second improved version of our industry leading capability showcase.

The original Industry Capability Showcase (ICS) was launched in March 2004 and set the benchmark for databases and project showcases.  With over 36,000 registered suppliers in the database and over 50 major projects showcased Australian and New Zealand companies enjoy a free service which puts local buyers and sellers togther for the benefit of their businesses and the local economy.

Version 2 of ICS will bring new levels of interaction to the desktop.  Sellers will enjoy a new "company resume" builder and be able to manage their data on line as well as identify to ICN what information they would like to receive back or which sectors/projects they would like to be involved with.

Project developers will have access to project specific portals which can be built to suit their particular needs.  Likewise Action Agendas and sectoral specific organisations will be able to have portals and databases built to provide them with the techology systems which can streamline their processes and management needs.

ICNL investigating the needs of all the potential end users of the system.  Those who would like to be involved in the process should contact Derek Lark on (02) 6285 2033.

Version 2 should be available to the public later this year.