The information and communication technologies (ICTs) are key technologies since many years for major innovations in production and services. More than 80 percent of innovations in Germany's industries, automotive, medical technology and logistics, are ICT driven. In the medium term, the industry is expected to grow around 3 percent annually. ICT as a cross-section technology for many developments in other application areas such as transportation telematics or imaging techniques is very well positioned in Berlin. The technology field, which comprises about 30 scientific institutions and 3,300 companies with approximately 31,000 employees, therefore plays an important role for Berlin.
In the context of a coherent innovation strategy it will be further developed and grow one percent faster than the national average. Competence manager is Project Future, which is hosted by the Senate Department for Economics and Technology. It has prepared the master plan for ICT and implements the measures identified therein. These include support for major networks such as XML City and projects such as Galileo. Acquisition of funds and their focus on strategic areas of action are also among the tasks. In the 7th newly begun Framework 1.3 billion EUR are available for the area, representing an almost 40 percent increase relative the 6th research framework program. The Federal Government's high-tech initiative will provide 1.2 billion EUR in this area for the years 2006 to 2009.
Adequate participation of regional actors from Berlin, with its research and innovation potential, in both the European and in national programs is essential and must be initiated and supported. Since early 2007, the TSB is creating its own ICT sector and will, increasingly, conduct its own activities in the ICT sector, which used to be the charge of the TimeKontor AG.
The ICT sector is the TSB will:
- Initiate and coordinate innovative collaborative projects,
- Realize the knowledge transfer between universities, research institutions and businesses,
- Organize events on current ICT issues, particularly on new research and development results.
