Leaders Speak - Policy & Economics “Australia greatest asset are its people. It is rich with entrepreneurial people coming from all parts of the world and who call Australia home. Ninety eight percent of businesses are small businesses with 1/3 being migrants. Their contribution is immense being the single largest employer in the private sector. They are prepared to give it a go however, the system needs changing. Good poli- cies at all levels of governments are required that will allow small businesses to thrive, grow and compete in a global market. With suitable policies, Australia can become the entrepreneurial capi- tal of the world.” Anne Nalder , Founder and CEO of Small Business Association of Australia “Australia needs to intensify knowledge exchange and translation between universities and in- dustry. Innovation in Australia requires connection with international partners including China and other Indo-Pacific countries that bring scale, broader market opportunities and a variety of partners that can help researchers turn ideas into practice and transform societies worldwide. By collaborating with Chinese industry partners, UNSW-invented high-efficiency photovoltaic solar cells did not merely deliver a world record in our University laboratories but have been widely used globally, resulting in energy savings and reduced greenhouse gas emissions every day. This same collaborative spirit has resulted in decentralised solar-powered desalination systems, being trialled in China, that can provide safe drinking water to communities in remote regions of central Australia and other parts of the world.” Dr. Yuan Wang , Head, UNSW Torch Innovation Precinct
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