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The Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry in Newfoundland and
Labrador is mature and working to leverage joint projects
with the industry association, Nati.
The communications side of the sector is very strong in this province with
several very large and well financed operations. On the information technology
side, the companies, while small, are very dynamic with well qualified,
innovative staff.
The ICT Sector has witnessed unprecedented growth as can be seen with the increased employment of 16.2%' from 2001 to 2004. This trend is continuing as new hires to the sector over the past year have increased by 18%. The latest report comissioned by INTRD shows the ICT Sector is generating $465 million in direct and indirect gross domestic product, and 5,760 direct and indirect jobs.
This province has several nationally recognized ICT organizations: The Canadian
Centre for Marine Communications; Genesis Corp., Memorial University’s
commercial transfer organization; Telemedicine Education Technology Resources Agency; the Centre for Marine Simulation;
and the Centre for Distance Learning and Innovation.
Government's Broadband Initiative (GBI) is aimed at addressing the current gap in the province's telecommunications infrastructure. The GBI will see the implementation of an advanced network which will promote new opportunities in research capabilities of the province's educational and research institutions, and lead to the greater availability of tele-health services in minimally-serviced areas of the province. This infrastructure will result in increased service availablilty for the public, schools, community groups and businesses.
The department supports the sector through:
the development of an Innovation Strategy that will highlight the
opportunities for our province in research and
development and
investment attraction;
working with key stakeholders, including industry
associations, to
promote and develop the sector;
support for local companies to participate trade
shows and
conferences; and
supporting broadband and advanced networks development.
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