Source:
Bernama An incubation programme with an initial investment of RM50 million will
be the main driver to ensure the success of Selangor's first
technopreneur campus in i-City.
In stating this, Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim
said the campus was set to accelerate the state's transformation into a
knowledge-based economy.
According to him, the success of the campus will be based on three main
pillars, namely the state-sponsored incubation programme, a conducive
environment for the young, and easy accessibility with good security.
"In ensuring the success of the campus, i-City and PKNS (Selangor State
Development Corporation) will jointly manage the incubation programme
with RM50 million as initial investment," he said after a dialogue
session between the state government and technopreneurs here Thursday.
He also said that the RM50 million would be a mixed fund from the
state government and several private organisations which are yet to be
finalised.
Khalid said the Selangor government was at the final stage of
discussions with Silicon Valley-based Plug and PlayTech Centre of the
United States to provide additional investment and incubation expertise
as well as to be a bridge for technoprenuers into the US market.
"The criteria for the incubation and the deal with Plug and PlayTech
are expected to be finalised by next month," said Eu Hong Chew, chief
executive officer of I-Berhad, developer of the i-City project.
This year, 30 to 40 companies comprising from those involved in the
development of solutions for digital cities, mobile contents and
products and services for the property and construction related sectors
will be identified to be nurtured, Eu said.
"We are also working with MDeC (Multimedia Development Corporation) to
provide technopreneurs with the necessary skills training and networking
opportunities," he said.
On another matter, Khalid said that in view of the expected increase in
traffic with the technopreneurs campus in i-City, the state was looking
to accelerate the construction of a direct access from the Federal
Highway.
"The state is looking at ways and means to expendite the building of a
flyover which is expected to cost about RM50 million," he said.