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Dept of Trade and Industry

Answer

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures her Department has taken to promote networking within and between various sectors in the economy. [190835] Mr. Mike O'Brien: In April 2004 the DTI launched a new business support product, Knowledge Transfer Networks, specifically to assist businesses in sharing knowledge appropriately with others both within and between industry sectors. Knowledge Transfer Networks provide financial support to organisations that have the capability to establish or enhance networks in key technology areas. Funding is administered through biannual competitions. This will build on and enhance the existing successful Faradays and others such as NAMTEC (National Metals Technical Centre). Over the past 10 months funding for two national networks has been granted: one in the area of micro and nanotechnology (MNT) and the other in the area of composite materials. The UK Micro and Nanotechnology (MNT) Network has been established, in January 2004, by the DTI and the 12 Regional Development Agencies and devolved Administrations working together, to provide a market-oriented focus for the facilities, people and organisations engaged in micro and nanotechnologies in the UK. The National Composites Network was announced in July 2004, its purpose being to disseminate lighter, stronger composites technologies for aerospace, automotive, construction and other industries. The network will have various regional centres, each of which will specialise in particular technologies. The centre in South Wales at the ECM2 (European Centre for Materials and Materials) will specialise in non- destructive testing technology. These measures are in addition to those of Regional Development Agencies and devolved Administrations who actively support local and regional business networks, and the work that DTI are doing to support organisations such as the TUC, CBI and Trade Association Forum.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

425 c999W;425 c998-9W; 190835

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Business Cooperation Finance Technology

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk