Dedication, smart initiatives and innovative businesses make the Cairns region one of the world’s most enviable tropical hubs. CRC is working with the region’s business community to plan and implement strategies to help industry become even smarter and more able to take on the challenges and reap the rewards of the future.
Manager of CRC’s new Economic Development and Innovation Unit, Fiona Wilson, says the Cairns region is well positioned to lead the world in tropical innovation.
"We are determined to help business people design the best possible edge for this," she said. "By partnering with businesses and offering advice, assistance and brainstorming, we can help make this region the envy of the world."
CRC’s Economic Development and Innovation Unit has a clear focus on economic growth and long term sustainability, and works to:
- build a strong and diverse regional economy
- support local business and industry development
- encourage and attract investment to the region
- build upon Cairns’ export competitiveness
- support education and training opportunities
- create collaborative relationships with key economic development players.
"Supporting local ingenuity and firmly establishing the north as a centre for tropical expertise is a high priority that led to the creation of the Tropical Innovation Awards in 2010," Fiona Wilson said.
Designed to help stimulate and diversify the future economy, the awards present a true reflection of tropical creativity to a national and global audience.
"It is an opportunity for local inventors, innovators and businesses to showcase their ideas, projects and processes to potential investors, mentors, government officials and the public," she said. "Exposure generated through the awards can also support applicants in realising the potential commercial value of their innovation and contribute to the region’s export and employment potential region."
This annual competition discovers the best and most innovative ideas across Tropical North Queensland, Australia and – for the first time in 2011 – the international tropical zone, providing an opportunity for applicants to gain international exposure and support.
