CROSSBORDER INNOVATION & COMPETITIVENESS INITIATIVE

San Diego Dialogue’s Crossborder Innovation & Competitiveness Initiative is a multi-year effort to explore the concept that the San Diego-Baja California region will be more globally competitive in key science and technology sectors by leveraging economic development opportunities linking both sides of the border – our economic linkages. This concept includes not just crossborder research partnerships (a key strength of UCSD, with its inherent R&D capabilities and access to leading technology companies), but also in catalyzing connections between the San Diego and Baja California economies in high-value added sectors that link the R&D capabilities to manufacturing and service industries in our region.

The future of both the San Diego and Baja California economies depends on remaining competitive and on continuous innovation in a globalized and increasingly skilled world. This Initiative will address these issues, and potentially other related topics – such as trade infrastructure, housing, environmental science, and education. Below is an overview of the San Diego Dialogue’s current areas of research – done in collaboration with the Tijuana-based economic development organization, CENTRIS, and Ensenada-based CICESE university – for 2004-2005. While topics will be added and refined in the course of the Initiative, specific topics are already being addressed, including:

•Biomedical Device Manufacturing – August 10, 2004
Research Report and Roundtable

•Semiconductor Manufacturing Proposal for Mexicali – October 7, 2004
Fact Sheet and Focus Group

•Developing a Crossborder Private Investor Network – October 18, 2004
Fact Sheet and Focus Group

•Software Industry Human Capital and Physical Infrastructure Development - October 25, 2004
Research Report and Roundtable

•Software Industry Crossborder Business-to-Business Linkages – October 29, 2004
Research Report and Roundtable

•Crossborder Pharmaceutical Innovation and Clinical Trials – December 6, 2004
Research Report and Roundtable

•Aquaculture and Marine-based Biotechnology – February 4, 2005
Research Report and Roundtable

Other areas of interest include aerospace and defense, digital media, and applied materials sciences in the recreation industry.

From these research papers and roundtables San Diego Dialogue and its partners will develop a major publication identifying opportunities for increasing the global competitiveness of both San Diego and Baja California. The report will include a number of concrete recommendations focused on energizing and accelerating binational initiatives such as crossborder collaborations in R&D, manufacturing, workforce development and technology commercialization. This report will be presented to the public at San Diego Dialogue's 20th Forum Fronterizo luncheon, tentatively scheduled for Spring 2005.

Initiative Supporters: