I blogged previously about the analysis of the contribution of spatial data to the Australian economy and to the New Zealand economy undertaken by ACIL Tasman. Alan Smart, who spoke this year at FOSS4G, was involved in both studies. He is a Principal Consultant in ACIL Tasman and works with spatially based economic models and has undertaken projects concerned with the value of and markets for spatial information. In 2007 he led the review of the economic impact of spatial information in Australia and has undertaken a similar project for New Zealand.
He reported on his analyses for both Australia and New Zealand. For New Zealand he reported that spatial information contributes 0.6% of GDP to the national economy, but could contribute an additional half a billion dollars if barriers such as pricing were removed. The increase in GDP would contribute $100 million in additional revenue to government.
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