Limpopo Business 2017-18 edition

Limpopo Connexion
Transitioning from a resource-based economy to a
knowledge economy.
FOCUS
Limpopo Province is taking active steps to develop its information
and communications technology (ICT) sector to the point
where it can take the provincial economy to a higher level
and improve the delivery of government services.
The agency charged with achieving these aims is Limpopo
Connexion. Baldwin Ramosobane, Acting CEO: Limpopo Connexion,
gives the broad aims of the agency in these terms: “A key measure is
to say how would Limpopo Connexion transform Limpopo from a
resource-based province to a knowledge-based province.”
The Knowledge Economy refers to the use of knowledge to produce
economic benefits through tangible and intangible assets. The concept
refers to the manner in which various high-technology businesses,
especially computer software, telecommunications and virtual services,
as well as educational and research institutions, could contribute
to a country's economy. Creating a strong and innovative ICT sector is
a vital step on the way to establishing a knowledge-based economy.
World leaders are increasingly adapting to the fact that a Fourth
Industrial Revolution is under way. The first was powered by
water and steam, the second used
electricity and introduced mass
production and the third revolution
in the global economy related
to automation, electronics and
computers. Now a Fourth Industrial
Revolution is combining a range of
scientific breakthroughs at great
speed: central to the concept is
connectivity and access to data.
This new economy is creating
new jobs and creating the potential
for jobs in the future in sectors
that don’t yet exist. Only by having
a strong and adaptable communications
and data network can a
regional economy take advantage
of these changes as they occur.
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LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2017/18