UK – Sir David said: “Improving connectivity is vital if Britain is to compete in the knowledge economy in which this country has a competitive advantage, but in which ease of travel is an essential element.
“Knowledge-based companies whether they are in high-tech manufacturing, the creative industries, finance or the law, have to be close, or feel close, to the talent, skills base, support network, knowledge pools, collaborators and clients necessary to create the “hot-house atmosphere” in which they thrive.
“That is why reducing the journey times between and within our cities isn’t just desirable for both passengers and freight. It is a strategic necessity.” Link
UAE – H.E. [Sultan bin Saeed] Al Mansoori, [Ministry of the Economy – opening Global Trade Development Week 2014] also pointed out the UAE knowledge and innovation initiative, INNOVATIVE, “we target to acquaint the economy for a step further towards INNOVATIVE. In this regard, it is the aim of The UAE to have a 5% contribution from knowledge economy and innovation to the GDP by 2021.” Link
UAE – The two-part meeting included discussions on [Abu Dhabi Technology Development Ccommittee’s] strategic efforts and commitment to establish a vibrant Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) base in the Emirates as part of Abu Dhabi’s drive towards building a diversified knowledge economy. In return, the BAST [Beijing Association of Science and Technology] delegation provided details about the remit of their organization and discussed a potential future collaboration with TDC on its science and promotion initiatives, specifically the Abu Dhabi Science Festival (ADSF) and the Abu Dhabi Science Center (ADSC), both of which are similar to planned activities in Beijing, China. Link
South Africa – One area which the 2014-2015 [World Economic Forum Global Competitiveness Report] ranking indicates as needing attention is innovation, specifically technological innovation. This area is very important as, globally, knowledge creation and the application of that knowledge in the creation of new products and services, is becoming a significant contributor to countries’ economic performance. This indicator is also significant in the context of South Africa having adopted, as a strategic intent, the move towards a knowledge economy. Link