New initiative creates digital network to assist economic development

Sometimes you’ve just got to do it yourself.

That’s the message from the Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry which is championing a private sector-led regional economic revival.

The Chamber’s Network of Networks initiative kicked off in late August at a well-attended function at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. It featured mini-presentations from over 25 economic organisations which will join forces under the Chamber’s new umbrella structure. The group’s main ambition is to promote innovation, investment, knowledge sharing, and public-private partnership.

The initiative also involves mapping each sub-sector by identifying key players, challenges and linkages with other sectors. An initial cross-sector survey, to commence in September, will assist in pinpointing impediments to economic growth and potential for public sector support and improvement.

Vanessa Davidson, co-founder of BlueCape, said the August launch event illustrated the potential for sector collaboration: “It was energising to participate in the collective energy, expertise and passion at the event. The proposed harnessing and leveraging of the network of networks by the chamber creates a positive outlook for industry driven economic growth in the Cape in close partnership with government,” Davidson said.

The Chamber has previously highlighted marine manufacturing as a Western Cape success story. Chamber chief executive John Lawson believes unity and networking within the marine ecosystem could serve as a model for other sectors, and for cross-sector collaboration.

The Network of Networks will promote sector collaboration on the Chamber’s new website, where stakeholders can interact on sector-specific virtual platforms. The maritime economy is one of the platforms, with plans afoot to develop the site into a one-stop shop for anybody seeking sector information such as key contacts or economic indicators.

Chamber Vice President Derryn Brigg said the Network of Networks initiative involved putting the Chamber’s key goal into action – by allowing experience and expertise to connect around a common purpose:  “It really is all about connection.  It’s an easy-to-use network that allows creative people do what they do best – innovate and motivate,” Brigg said in her address at the launch event. “We look forward to innovation, fun and positive results that directly or indirectly benefit all our business members and society in general,” she said.

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