By Celsias
Posted on Dec. 20, 2011. Listed in:
Industrial Research Ltd (IRL) is launching a strategic partnership with the Queensland Government and The Mercator Alliance Ltd with the view to developing a science and innovation portal in Singapore.
The portal will showcase emerging New Zealand and Queensland technologies in the energy and environmental sectors and encourage collaborative research between organisations in New Zealand, Queensland and Singapore.
“Our intention is that the portal will operate as an Industry Interactive Hub, effectively a showroom for high-tech Kiwi science and innovation for growing Asian economies. It will also provide a gateway for Asian Industry to engage with New Zealand and Queensland research organisations,” says IRL Deputy CEO Drew Stein.
Drew Stein says IRL will make available to the partnership its world-leading science and engineering capability which includes expertise in hydrogen-based technologies, renewable and distributed energy technologies, and carbon capture technologies.
“Our role will be to work with New Zealand based companies to transfer some of this know-how and in collaboration with our partners enable them to enter emerging markets in Asia.”
Mercator Alliance Director Max Morley says IRL’s expertise and track record of successful technology transfer makes it an ideal partner.
“We were very keen to come to an arrangement with IRL because of its research capability, the projects it currently has underway and the calibre of the organisation.”
It is hoped that the portal will not only help commercialise some of New Zealand’s most innovative science and technology but assist in the generation of export opportunities for New Zealand companies in the fast growing Asian market by showcasing them at the front door.
The venture is also intended to lead to future international collaborations and attract foreign investment into New Zealand’s high-value manufacturing sector.
Queensland Deputy Premier Andrew Fraser and the Director General of the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation, Ian Fletcher, along with representatives of partners The Mercator Alliance and IRL recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding signalling their intention to establish the Asian portal with the expectation of finalising a business plan to be ready for implementation within six months.
