Directory of science and technology parks, incubators and cities in IDB member countries

Science parks harness the combined power of education, research and private investment, the result is new jobs, new industries and solutions to age-old problems of mankind. They connect the innovative thinkers of our time and harness the most powerful resource of the 21st century: mind power.

Science parks are sources of entrepreneurship, talent, and economic competitiveness for our nation, and are key elements of the infrastructure supporting the growth of today##$$s global knowledge economy. By providing a location in which government, universities and private companies cooperate and collaborate, science parks create environments that foster collaboration and innovation. They enhance the development, transfer, and commercialization of technology.

To this end, it is the aim of this directory to highlight the important role of science parks in promoting the culture of innovation and competitiveness among businesses and knowledge-based institutions in IDB member countries as well as promoting links between scientists at universities and R&D institutions with science parks in the region to facilitate the set up and development of innovation-based companies through incubation and spin-off processes.

(A) National science parks

Algeria

The technopole of Sidi Abdallah is situated at 30 km western south of Algiers. This site covers a surface of 1,870 hectares through the municipalities of Mahelma and Rahmania. It comprises three technology parks, which will be able to accommodate firms specialized in advanced technologies, and an industrial park: Technopark El Boustène ; Technopark Ibnou-Sina ; Cyber Park; Park of Sidi Bennour

The World Bank has started in 2002 an ICT Development Support Project in cooperation with the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications with the aim of creating an enabling environment and improve access to efficient and affordable ICT services, facilitate private sector development growth in ICT sector; improve the competitiveness of local ICT companies; and foster the efficiency of government in delivery of services. Among these aims the project intends to support also the development of new ICT companies through the so-called "Net-enterprise" development program. The programme envisages support to the set-up of the CyberPark and an incubation facility, "Technobridge Incubator" with the technology park to support ICT R&D initiatives and/or start-up companies with innovative projects; to set a seed capital R&D grants mechanism to support IT start-ups and innovative SMEs and providing institutional development support to the Institut National des Telecommunications (INT) and to the Ecole Centrale des Postes et Telecommunications to renew its curricula and courses on ICT management and cyberentrepeneurship.

The Technopark El Boustène is located inside the "Zone of Activities of Boustène", 10 minutes from Dely-Brahim (close to the route to Douéra and Souidania). It is extended over a surface of ca. 45 ha.

Focus sectors: ICT; Electronics; Biotechnology (pharmaceutics)

This park covers a surface of 54 ha and its special aim is to host local and international large enterprises. It is situated on an ideal site easy to access from the highway Algiers-Zeralda, which will be prolonged by the main way, that links the southern part of the highway with the towns of Blida and Boufarik.

Focus sectors: Biotechnology (pharmaceutics); Health Care & Medicine; ICT; Tourism; Engineering

Cyber Park (CP)

Similar to many countries in Europe, America and Asia, which have favored the development of new technologies in information and communications, Algeria has decided to set-up a technological Cyber Parc of 94ha in Sidi Abdallah close to university and research centers.

Focus sectors: ICT; Media & Communications

This park covers a surface of 51 ha and will specifically focus on services and agro-industries. It is situated south of Mahelma and it is envisaged that this zone will accommodate small and medium enterprises and will complement industrial activities developed in the parks of Blida, Ben Tamou, Beni Mered.

Bahrain

Bahrain Technology Park is currently under development by the Bahrain Royal Court, in cooperation with the ‎private sector. It will contribute to the on-going efforts of the country to create export oriented technology based enterprises and help diversify the local economy from oil driven incomes.. It is intended that the park would include a technology incubator as well as a center to assist ‎women entrepreneurs.

The project will be financed by the Kuwait Finance House and will open new horizons for foreign investment. Enhancing and developing the skills of Bahrainis is the key objective of the park, in addition to providing a fertile hub for industries to further develop their products. A call centre may also be set up in the park as such type of centers are highly profitable for industries and are found all over the world. The private sector will benefit from this project as it aims to revitalize the role of the industries, especially the small and medium size ones. Investors will also be able to find in this hi-tech park a stable and highly developed environment to serve the growth of their industries.

Focus sectors ( ICT, Health Care & Medicine )

CommerceNet Singapore (CNSG) announced that the consortium will support one world class technology park in Bahrain. The technology park known as iTeknoCity will house some of the top ICT companies as well as two bio-informatics clusters. The park is slated to be one of the top centres in Middle-East. iTeknoCity will provide tremendous oppportunities for local and regional companies housed in Singapore and ASEAN to make a meaningful move into Bahrain and the Middle-East. 

Cote Divoire

VITIB – SA

Egypt

Mubarak City for Scientific Research and Technology Applications (MUCSAT)

The City occupies 250 acres in the industrial area located at New Borg El Arab City, west of Alexandria. It is planned for the City to incorporate twelve centres and institutes that will be established in successive stages. Four research institutes were inaugurated in August 2000, in genetic engineering and biotechnology, informatics, new materials and technology capabilities development. The City includes two technology incubators, specializing in ICT and biotechnology.

The construction of the Egypt##$$s Smart Village is an initiative designed to provide a high tech environment necessary to attract IT companies to set up offices in Egypt. It is located on a 300-acre park just 20 minutes away from downtown Cairo, 10km from the pyramids and is also easily accessible from Cairo International Airport. The Smart Village provides a state-of-the-art infrastructure catering to every company##$$s business needs.

Upon completion of all the phases there will be 58 office plots, accommodating approximately 30,000 employees within a total office area of 1,336,000 square meters. Any company in the IT and Telecommunications sector can rent office spare or buy land and build their own offices in the Smart Village.

Focus Sectors: ICT

Sinai Technology Valley (STV)

The Sinai Technology Valley is one of the major projects for socioeconomic development in Egypt. It is a technopole and is located at the northwestern access to Sinai Peninsula, on the east bank of the Suez Canal within the territorial jurisdiction of Ismailia governorate, covering an area of 72 square kilometers. The "technology valley" project will be implemented in five stages, in which the investments in the first stage amounted to nearly 500 million Egyptian pounds. 

Focus sectors (ICTs; Microelectronics; Biotechnology; New materials; Fine tools; Renewable energy)

 Northern Coast Technology Valley (NCTV) (under development) 

This proposed technopole is still at the study stage. The project is being considered by Alexandria Governorate, the Ministry of Higher Education, the Ministry of State for Scientific Research and the Social Fund for Development. 

The Business Technology Incubation Centre (B.T.I.C.) project intends to assist the Government of Egypt in achieving its target of Human Resource Development in technological fields. B.T.I.C. is intended mainly to serve young graduates to acquire practical experience needed to establish their own enterprises.

B.T.I.C. will concentrate on developing the technological skills needed for Engineering Industries. This will mainly include practice use of software, electronics & communications. The mechanisms proposed as a basis for B.T.I.C. operation will attract graduates to actively participate in the development of Egypt industrial capabilities. B.T.I.C. shall serve as an example of other centres around the country and possibly other developing countries.

B.T.I.C. capacities and resources will accelerate the development of industrial operations needed for the overall economical development of Egypt. B.T.I.C. will mainly serve young graduates who will have full-time access to the. centre, using its workspace and central facilities. In addition, other technical professionals will have an access to the central facilities as needed. The centre facilities are targeted to serve about 500 young graduates in addition to thousands of technical professionals.

The foreign content for the establishment of the project is estimated to be around 4 millions ECU. The centre is targeted to be established within 12 months. It will be located at Giza, in a building currently managed by a Public Enterprise. A rehabilitation program for the building paralleled by equipping the centre with the needed equipment will produce a modern centre recognized as a symbol of co-operation between Europe & Egypt.

 

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Iran

 

Arak Science & Technology Park

Postal address Qoddousi Blvd, Arak Science & Technology Park (ASTP) 38135-416, Arak (Markazi) Country Iran General e-mail info@astp.ir Telephone +98 861 2226014 Fax +98 861 2240051 Web www.astp.ir Main contact Dr. Mohammad Reza SANGI President Second contact Maryam ABDOLI Public Relations & International Affairs Manager Total surface (area) of your Park or Incubator (including built areas, green areas, roads, etc) 200,000 m2 Tenants: number of companies an/or institutions (tenants) located in your Park or Incubator 25 Main activities Chemistry / Chemical Technology ICT / Media and Multimedia / Telecommunications Incubation activities Yes

Khorasan Science and Technology Park – KSTP

Pardis Technology Park

Rooyesh ICT Incubator

University of Tehran Science and Technology Park

Yazd Science and Technology Park (YSTP)

Semnan Science & Technology Park

Rahparda Kish

Based on a government decision, the former "Iranian Research Organization of Science & Technology (IROST)", which started its activities in 1989, was newly founded as GSTP in 2002. In the first step ICT was considered as a main area of interest for GSTP, so the ICT Incubator Centre was launched as a first sub division of GSTP. Moreover there is a plan to develop a second incubator named Comprehensive Technology Incubator. The main aim of GSTP is to support innovators and commercialization of research studies in cooperation with universities and research institutes.

Focus sectors: Agro-Food, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Electronics, Environment, ICT, Tourism

The GSTP is member of IASP (International Association of Science Parks). It works in cooperation with Steinbeis Foundation and with TSO (Technical Supervision Organization), both from Germany. 

* Khorasan Science and Technology Park (KSTP)

The Khorasan Science and Technology Park is operating under the auspices of the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology to materialize the scientific development of the country at national and international levels. The Khorasan Science and Technology Park mission is to enhance efficiency and promote research and technology in order to establish a national technological development system by offering physical space for operation as well as technical, financial, and/or consultancy services.

Focus Sectors: Advanced Engineering, Agro-Food, Chemistry, Electronics, ICT, Services

* Sheikh Bahai Technology Park (SBTP)

Science/Technology Parks have recently received increasing attention worldwide for their effective roles in technological development leading to the promotion of knowledge-based economies and job creation potentials. STPs create the environment favorable to SMEs, R&D companies, and research centers to interact among themselves and with universities in order to achieve their business objectives. Along the lines of its mandate, Isfahan Science and Technology Town established Sheikh Bahai Technology Park in 2004 with the mission to develop infrastructural facilities required for the development and growth of knowledge-based companies. The Park is presently in the process of construction on 36 hectares of land west of Isfahan University of Technology campus.

Focus Sectors: Materials and Metallurgy, Information and Communications Technology, Design & Manufacturing, Automation, Biotechnology, Services

* Pardis Technology Park (PTP)

With a focus on ICT and support from a myriad of world-class local and international human resources and organizations, Pardis Technology Park (PTP) will serve as one the most effective high technology development platforms in the region.PTP provides a strategic access route to a world-class pool of human resources in the Middle-East, the like of whom are at the heart of some of the most advanced and leading edge high technology development programmes in the world.Located some 25 km to the North-East of Tehran in an area of outstanding natural beauty and breathtaking scenery, together with a leading-edge information super highway technology infrastructure and communal facilities, PTP presents an attractive location for foreign hi-tech companies aiming to be a part of the global economic growth in the Middle East. PTP is at the heart of Iran hi-tech strategic development policy. PTP is under direct management of a Board of Directors representing the Technology Cooperation Office (TCO) of Iran President and Sharif University of Technology.As such, PTP represents attractive investment platforms for innovation in the Middle East.

Focus sectors : Advanced Engineering (mechanics and automation); Biotechnology; Chemistry; Electronics; ICT; Nano-technology

 

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Iraq

A. Business Incubators for Creation of Small Enterprises in Sectors of Basic Needs and for Job Creation

ESCWA is currently preparing for a project titled “Business Incubators for Creation of Small Enterprises in Sectors of Basic Needs and for Job Creation,” which aims to create 30 business incubators in different cities in Iraq. The project will be funded by the United Nations Development Group / United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq. The line partner in Iraq is the Ministry of Industry. The project is planned to be implemented during the period 2005-2007.

Jordan

The Hashemite University Technology Park (HUTP)

The Hashemite University has signed an agreement with Hillwood, an American multinational company, to establish an industrial & technology park in Zarka, north east of Jordan. The park will be located on the University’s premises over a 1.5 square kilometer area.

The educational and academic communities of the Hashemite University and other universities and colleges in Zarka will be the prime participants in the park’s research and development centers and in the training centers to be established at the park. Focus sectors: ICT

CyberCity (CC)

CyberCity will be established by a consortium of international investors led by the Boscan Jordan Group in co-operation with the Jordan University for Science & Technology (JUST). It is designed as a technology park specializing in IT and located within a duty free zone. It will occupy an area of approximately 4.5 square kilometres located north of Amman, in close proximity to Amman’s international airport, not far from the Syrian Arab Republic and Iraq and affording convenient access to Saudi Arabia. Its aim is to promote ICT industries in Jordan and the region while also serving as a catalyst for co-operation between Jordanian academic institutions and the international business community. Focus sectors: ICT

* Jordan Technology Group

The Jordan Technology Group (JTG) is one of the earliest business incubators in Jordan and has been active since 1988.

Jordan Forum for Business and Professional Women

Located in Jebel al-Taj in Amman, the Jordan Forum for Business and Professional Women has been operational since 2003, with the aim of incubating businesses owned by women entrepreneurs.

* National Consortium for Technology and Incubation of Businesses

The National Consortium for Technology and Incubation of Businesses (NACTIB) was established in 2003 by the Higher Council for Science and Technology (HCST), the Royal Scientific Society (RSS), the University of Jordan and Princess Sumaya University of Technology. It aims to promote the effective use of existing science and technology resources in helping Jordanian entrepreneurs

* Planned incubators in Jordan

The following universities are planning to establish business incubators in their premises:

Zarqa University

Philadelphia University

Jordan Industrial Estate Corporation

Philadelphia University – Jordan

El Hassan Science City

Kazakhstan

JSC Engineering and Technology Transfer Center

Kuwait

* Kuwait Technology Park (KTP)

A steering committee has been formed by the Higher Planning Council to carry out a feasibility study for the creation of a high technology park in Kuwait. This technopole is intended to: constitute an important reservoir of highly trained Kuwaiti human resources in various fields of S & T; facilitate technology transfer to local industries from both international and national S & T sources; develop a culture with distinct entrepreneurial traditions; maintain a well-established R & D infrastructure serving SMEs whose businesses depend on high technology.

The Kuwait Technology Incubator


The Kuwait Technology Incubator (KTI) project was initiated in 2000 by the Kuwait Institute of Scientific Research (KISR) and the Kuwait Small Project Development Company (KSPDC) with a view to contributing to the realization of some of the objectives of national development plans, such as upgrading of the national system of innovation, diversification of the economy and creating jobs. ESCWA was requested to provide advisory services in the planning and design phases of this project, and several missions were carried out for that purpose.


Other incubators in Kuwait

Other incubators are currently being studied in Kuwait. In particular, KSPDC is negotiating with the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training (PAAET) for the establishment of two technology incubators designed to help graduates of technical training institutes set up their own businesses based on innovative technological ideas. Both the Ministry of Education and the Waqf General Secretariat will be participating in the project. A study on this incubator is awaiting approval by government authorities.

Lebanon

Berytech - Technologycal Pole (BT)

Berytech was established in 2001 by Saint Joseph University and is now functioning at its full capacity. In addition to a business incubator for start-ups, Berytech includes a business accelerator for newly born companies and business hosting facilities for already established SMEs. Berytech has partnerships with countries in Europe and is member of the Network of European techno-parks.

Berytech relies on the lebanese poles of excellence, identifies the strategic sectors to promote, and implements a synergy between a high level university environment and the companies hosted on the site. It coordinates, within a network of clearly identified competences, the functions of economic animation, promotion of the pole and market survey.

Berytech is located near the Campus of Sciences and Technologies in Mar Roukos, overlooking the city of Beirut.

Focus sectors: ICT; Media & Communications ; Health Care & Medicine

Environment; Agro Food (food processing); Energy

 
Beirut Emerging Technology Zone (BETZ)

BETZ in currently under development by the Investment Development Authority of Lebanon (IDAL) in cooperation with the Municipality of Damour in a land area of a million square meters. It is planned that BETZ would include among its facilities an incubator for start-ups in ICT and other new technologies.

BETZ, which represents the largest initiative of the Lebanese government in support of the information and new technology sectors, will incorporate among other facilities, a state-of-the-art infrastructure, an incubator facility, single and multi-tenants facilities, etc. It will be located 10 minutes from the Beirut International Airport, next to the major Beirut-South coastal highway, only 15 minutes away from Beirut Central District.

Focus sectors: Electronics; ICT ; Biotechnology ; Media & Communications

Edde Global Village (EGV)& Makse Park (MP)

Two private sector initiatives have also been in the works, yet as of today no development progress can be reported. One is the Edde Global Village in Jbeil (a media zone type project) and the other is the Makse Industrial Park in the Bekaa valley. These technology or industrial zones will allow for the development of ICT sector in general and the realization of innovative technology ideas in particular as a contribution to the national information society at large.

Other projects in Lebanon

There are plans for the establishment of a technology incubator by the Lebanese National Council for Scientific Research   as well as a technopole by the University of Balamand.

Morocco

Casablanca Technology Park (CTP)

Casablanca Technopark has been established in 2001 and covers a total surface of 29,400m² (with an operational surface of 16,000m²). It is owned by a private company: "Moroccan Information Technopark Company" known as MITC. MITC is an anonymous company managed by a board of directors and owns a capital of 46,000,000 DH. MITC is the outcome of a public/private partnership with a participation of 35 % by the State (Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Telecommunications) and 65% by banks (Caisse de Dépôt et de Gestion, BMCE Bank, Banque Centrale Populaire, Banque Commerciale du Maroc, WAFA Bank). The President of the Board of Directors is the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Telecommunications.

Focus sectors: ICT

Bouznika Technology Park (BTP) 

The France-based Sophia Antipolis Foundation and the Moroccan Government have signed an agreement regarding the creation of a 116-hectare technology park in Bouznika, situated between Rabat and Casablanca. Dedicated to information and communication technologies, the new park will benefit from the Sophia Antipolis Foundation’s cooperation in its scientific and cultural animation, the creation of a tele-training programme and tele-sites. The development of BTP is part of the “e-Morocco” campaign launched by the King of Morocco.

Focus sectors: ICT

MITC (Casablanca Technopark)

Malaysia

Kulim Technology Park Corporation Berhad

Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC)

Akwa Ibom Science and Technology Park

Oman

Knowledge Oasis Muscat (KOM)

KOM is a public-private sector-led initiative that is totally committed to creating an environment in which entrepreneurs, researchers and small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as established multinationals, can innovate and flourish within a Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) setting.

KOM is situated on a 68 hectare eco-friendly site of outstanding natural beauty located 32 kilometres north west of Muscat. More than 12,000 square metres of office, incubator space and two cutting-edge IT colleges have already been completed and a further phase of development is currently underway. KOM will accommodate every size of business, from a single entrepreneurial scientist to major international research facilities, call centres and business headquarters. 

Focus sectors: ICT

Sultan Qaboos University Science Park (SQU)

The Sultan Qaboos University is currently planning to set up a national science park. This is a result of current efforts aimed at national capacity-building in R & D and technology development for which international funding of around US$ 2.5 million is being made available.

Knowledge Oasis Muscat (KOM)

Palestine

Palestine Information and Communication Technology Incubator

The Palestine Information and Communication Technology Incubator (PICTI) was established in 2004 in Ramallah by the Palestinian Information Technology Association (PITA), Palestine Trade Center (PalTrade), Palestine Banking Corporation, and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Qatar

Qatar Science and Technology Park (STP)

STP is a home for high-tech companies in Qatar. It is part of Qatar Foundation##$$s Education City, a campus of schools, universities and research centres in Doha. The role of the science park is to link these academic institutes with industry, thereby growing Qatar##$$s knowledge economy and creating opportunities for its highly-skilled graduates.

Focus sectors: Aircraft operations; Environment; Gas & Petrochemicals; Healthcare; ICT; Water technologies

Saudi Arabia

Prince Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Science Park (PASP)

PASP was established in 2003. Located on a 300,000 square meter site, north of the King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM) main campus, the park is closely integrated with the university. The location with its proximity to science and engineering colleges provides for considerable interaction between tenant firms, their personnel and university scientists and engineers. The park houses a range of firms, mainly those involved in the petroleum and chemical industry and the growing IT sector, both of which are major strengths of the university.

Focus sectors: Petroleum; ICT

Jeddah BioCity Science Park (JBC)

Located in King Abdul-Aziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia,  JBC is the first  Bio Park in the Middle East where a highly dedicated and focused on biotechnology.

AL-Shumaissi Science and Technology City

AL-Shumaissi Science and Technology City is under development since 2004 and is located between Jeddah and Makkah.

Technology Incubators in Saudi Arabia
Plans are under way for the establishment of incubators by the following parties:

King Abdul§ Aziz City for Science and Technology

King Abdul Aziz and His§ Companions Foundation for the Gifted

Riyadh Chamber of Industry and Commerce

Saudi Organization for Industrial Estates and Technology Zones

Dhahran Techno-Valley