Marine Industries Leadership Council update
MILC, the Marine Industries Leadership Council held a workshop at the Government Department for business, BERR, last month to consider the business case for a marine industry strategy.
There was general agreement that such a strategy would provide a focal point for what is a very diverse industry with government and the regions and also enhance activities associated with innovation, regulatory issues, export support, skills and the supply chain.
However, it was acknowledged that the biggest barriers to be overcome were ones of resource and the diversity of the sector. On resource it was agreed that it will be as much for industry as government to address.
Also during March the MILC Innovation and Technology Group met at SMI under the chairmanship of John Murray. The group focussed on the development of a marine innovation strategy and was joined by UK NEST (Naval Engineering Science and Technology) who had agreed to join forces in working towards this objective. Clearly such work cannot be completed until the industrial strategy is known but a start has at least been made.
The Technology Strategy Board has been reviewing the mix of Knowledge Transfer Networks and is currently working towards the idea of setting up a Transport KTN. The MILC ITG is involved in this process and will ensure that the marine sector is well represented.
For more information email info@maritimeindustries.org
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