SQW was commissioned as lead consultant to undertake a review of the strategic direction, business model, financial viability and management structure of HKPC. The HKPC employed 600 staff, and had for over 25 years played a key role in enhancing the productivity of Hong Kong industry and encouraging technology upgrading and innovation. But its traditional role had been challenged by the movement of most manufacturing activities into mainland China and the establishment of other organisations in Hong Kong. A radical rethink of future role and structure was therefore required.
We were commissioned to undertake the feasibility and planning studies for Hong Kong Science Park. The first stage involved: a major survey of firms in Hong Kong and overseas to establish market interest; reviews of economic change in Hong Kong and the surrounding region, and of investment trends in R&D and other technology based activities; and an assessment of the effectiveness of the current technology infrastructure in Hong Kong, and the additional benefits a science park could provide.
We undertook a full feasibility study for an innovation centre to support the formation and growth of new innovative and technology based businesses in Hong Kong. This included market analysis, proposals for physical development and organisation and management arrangements. We later advised on the appointment of the first Chief Executive. The Centre was subsequently built and has proved extremely successful.
We were asked by the Economic Development Corporation of the City of Coburg in the North East of Bavaria to help them with the strategic planning for a technology park in Coburg. The City has traditionally been difficult to access due to its location near the former border to the GDR and far from major centres of economic activity. Due to the reunification of Germany, its geopolitical location has changed radically and it is now in easy access to industrial concentrations in Thurimgia, one of the five new German Lander.
The French regional development agency, DATAR, was keen to continue to build on the reputation and success of the Sophia Antipolis Science Park near Nice. After reviewing a number of options, it decided to proceed with the planning of a major new science park in the nearby department of VAR. Under the SPRINT Programme SQW was invited to participate in the feasibility study on this major (8000 hectare) development.
Following initial work commissioned directly by World Bank, the Government of Croatia retained the services of SQW to advise BICRO on its business planning. BICRO is a national technology support organisation set up by the Ministry of Science and Technology to manage various technology and SME support programmes implemented under the Ministry, mainly through World bank funding. These include a cost sharing grant scheme to stimulate demand from SMEs for technology services, and a programme to support joint research projects involving research institutes, universities and private sector partners.
Research and Technology Organisations (RTOs) provide a range of services including R&D to single clients in the public and private sector, and to groups of firms.
SQW was commissioned to make inputs to preparation of a World Bank technology development project for Croatia. Specifically, we were asked to review existing technology service centres, and develop proposals for their further development, and for related support to new and small technology based firms, including provision of incubator space for new businesses, and establishment of a seed fund.
The main objective of the project was to prepare a concept plan as the first stage of a full feasibility and business planning study for a 6 sq km area of Guangzhou which is to be developed as a science district.
SQW was asked by CIVIX, a planning and design firm, to assist them to advise UWI on a new science park at their Mona Campus in Jamaica. This involved thinking through the policy stance which the University should take in order to maximise likely benefits without disrupting its main academic purposes. We also considered in outline the property development and phasing approach which might be possible given local market conditions and national economic development objectives.
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