Peter Myles NMBMC Maritime Cluster Model 2015
Peter Myles, Coordinator: NMB maritime cluster interim task team, Chairman of the NMB Tourism Industry Association and a lecturer at NMMU in marine tourism and coastal recreation, +27 82 556 1680
Tantaswa Cici, Manager: maritime safety, Eastern Cape Department of Transport, +27 43 604 7629 or +27 71 673 5171
The cluster idea is a joint initiative of the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU), Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality and the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber. The first meeting of the partners took place in February in Port Elizabeth and was attended by 80 invited participants, all with a direct interest in the sector.
NMBMC Objectives
Facilitate the development of an African Network of Maritime Clusters (ANMC).
Presentation and Adoption of the Port Elizabeth Declaration.
Establish a Maritime Institute at NMMU.
Engage with the European Network of Maritime Clusters (ENMC).
Connect Africa with Europe and the rest of the world via an international network of
maritime clusters.
“International experience indicates that the level of business formation tends to be higher in clusters,” says Myles. “Start-ups are more reliant on external suppliers and partners, all of which they find in a cluster, so clusters reduce the costs of failure, as entrepreneurs can fall back on local employment opportunities in the many other companies in the same field.” Clusters also encourage knowledge-sharing and innovation and in these areas NMMU has the potential to play a critical role, he adds.
“Nelson Mandela Bay is a region where small-scale businesses and disadvantaged coastal communities could largely benefit, improving their job opportunities and their lives through application of a proposed micro-enterprise promotion strategy.” It is hoped that the cluster will stimulate the growth of smaller companies offering services such as boat building and repairs. It could also enhance the existing coastal and marine tourism sector and even, perhaps, encourage the creation of a maritime university. “In a nutshell, the expectation is that a maritime cluster will uncover Port Elizabeth’s competitive advantage and, with collaboration, will assist in the growth of this sector,” says Myles.
Source: Emily van Rijswijck, Maritime cluster for Mandela Bay, http://www.mediaclubsouthafrica.com/economy/2864-maritime-040412
NMB Maritime Cluster Model
NMBMC is a voluntary association
NMBMC has no staff
NMBMC has no physical office
NMBMC has no funds
NMBMC owns no assets
NMBMC is not an entity
The population of the NMB Maritime Cluster is not composed of individuals but of coastal and ocean stakeholders who belong to different Leadership Groups
Integrated Maritime Cluster Strategy
Building an educated and skilled workforce
Becoming a leader in knowledge creation and innovation
Developing linkages, clusters and networks to become a more integrated and networked maritime sector
Fostering enterprise formation and business growth
Becoming a globally focused and internationally integrated maritime economy
Creating a business environment and infrastructure base that facilitates business success.
| |
Nelson Mandela Bay Maritime ClusterContact Person: Peter MylesPO Box 15006Emerald Hill, Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, 6011 South AfricaMobile: +27 (0)82 556 1680Skype: peter.myles1tournet@iafrica.com http://www.tournetafrica.com
http://www.clustercollaboration.eu/web/nelson-mandela-bay-maritime-cluster |
