10.4 Policy Statement: ICT SEPs Transformation a) Position the ICT SEPs as equal and competitive partners to private sector companies in driving growth and policy implementation. b) Enable ICT SEPs alignment and rationalisation of governance structures, investments, assets and operations to enable Government to effectively influence market developments and consumer services. In addition, optimise the funding requirements by the SEPs through alignment of strategies. c) Enable the exploration and implementation of opportunities for consolidation, integration and mergers among the SEPs to maximise on synergies and economies of scale. d) Oversee the ICT SEPs strategies and business plans to achieve competitiveness, rapid growth and profitability and to pay dividends to the shareholder. e) Implore the ICT SEPs to actively translate opportunities created by ICT policy into sustainable business strategies. f) Fit ICT policy programs with SEPs business plans so that funding and implementation of policy is executed through the normal course of business. This reduces the separate and additional funding requirement from government to implement some of the policies. 10.5 Policy Statement: Innovation A culture of innovation is a critical success factor in ICT development. The national ICT Policy will promote and incentivise investment in high-tech and high value-added manufacturing and business ICT services; through the establishment of Technology-Park with Special Economic Zone status. This policy shift intends to attract world-class investments in high-tech manufacturing of mobile device manufacturing, chips, processors and related accessories; to make Zimbabwe the regional hub for knowledge intensive ICT manufacturing and service activities. The Government has promoted innovation and capacity building measures through various initiatives, which include the establishment of:    The Innovation and Commercialisation Fund administered by the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development; The ICT Achievers’ Awards administered by the Ministry of ICTPCS; and An RCZ Fund database of research priorities that also includes ICTs. The Government shall: a) Create the enabling environment for the country to become an ICT innovation hub for Africa; b) Work with private sector to set up the infrastructure and funding for ICT innovation; c) Facilitate a broad-based innovation policy which enables national participation; d) Incentives and guidelines to attract international talent to assist in driving innovation; 26