WITH a Federal Election looming innovation is among hot top topics on the regional agenda.
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Western Research Institute (WRI) general manager Wendy Mason hosted the Opposition Parliamentary Secretary for Digital Innovation and StartUps, Ed Husic MP, and key Central West business leaders for a roundtable discussion on innovation in Bathurst last week.
The conversation focused on the opportunities for growth and innovation start-ups in a regional NSW setting.
Ms Mason said the institute was fortunate to have representatives from a broad cross-section of education, business and innovation attending.
Points highlighted during some lively discussion at the forum included:
- The need for a balanced focus on innovation in our cities, as well as our regions.
- The importance of the development of human capital through investment in regional skills for the future along with the infrastructure to ensure success.
- The need for appropriate policy settings, adequate technology infrastructure and strategic collaboration between parties to encourage a “critical mass” of start-ups in the region.
“WRI is working now on mapping trends in key industry sectors in the Central West economy, and facilitating the roundtable was an exciting opportunity to engage some of the region’s key players in a wider conversation on innovation for the region,” Ms Mason said..
“There is real potential for businesses to relocate from cities to our region.
“We have a ready supply of skilled graduates, good transport and IT connectivity, and a conducive regulatory environment for business. However, it is critical that government policy facilitates inbound investment and opportunity in our regions as well as our cities.”
The roundtable included representatives from regional organisations including Appiworks, Regional Development Australia, Charles Sturt University, SkillSet, Reliance Credit Union, Bathurst Business Chamber, Bathurst Regional Council and start-up businesses.
Footnote: The Western Research Institute (WRI) is a not-for-profit think-tank based in regional Australia which conducts social and economic research to support better decision-making and stronger investment in sustainable regional development.
WRI also provides a social and economic research consultancy services to support sound infrastructure investments, successful grant applications, business case development, cost-benefit analysis, economic impact analysis and program evaluations.