As discussed by Steven Carlson, our CITT team recently held an internal meeting focused on the development of ICT cross-border cluster business plan. Let me offer my opinion on this issue.
In all CENTROPE countries we can identify ICT networks and clusters, but their activity is focused on local regions and states. Spill-over from universities and research institutions does not cross borders. Cooperation among cluster companies is occasional, even accidental, and is not based on long-term intentions. Outward contacts (if any) are established by networks and clusters managers and are based only on initiatives derived from cross-border or EU projects. The cross-border regions of Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic are relatively underdeveloped in comparison with Austria. Entrepreneurs are not aware of business opportunities in neighbouring countries. The most important starting point is to raise awareness about business conditions, establishing business networks and actively gathering business contacts.
I suggest creating an open working group of stakeholders, including public authorities, the business community and knowledge developers such as universities and research institutions. The adjective “open” means that the working group should be open to every person or institution which would like to support its ideas.
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