Press Release
2
July 2003
The Economic Development Forum moved to the north-west today as its sixteenth meeting took place at Derry City Council’s headquarters.
Of particular interest to members at today’s meeting, which was chaired by Bruce Robinson, Permanent Secretary, Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, was a presentation by John Hannaway, the Chairman of the Ulster Society of Chartered Accountants on fiscal policy issues.
Mr Robinson said: “A single clear consensus on fiscal policies and incentives appropriate to Northern Ireland is of the utmost importance and will make a significant contribution to realising the Forum’s aim to strengthen the local economy during the period to the year 2010.
“It is vital that all sectors, private, public, community and voluntary, fully engage in this debate and consider and support a collective position that is good for Northern Ireland as a whole. I am pleased, therefore, that the Forum has decided to set up a sub-group to examine how best to achieve this.
“The real strength of the Forum is the building of a partnership which will allow all sectors to now focus attention on areas where we can collectively make a real difference.
Thanking Derry City Council for hosting the meeting, Mr Robinson said: “I am aware of the commitment and sustained effort made by all sectors in the North West to improve the economic impact of the area. The North West has an important and significant role to play in improving Northern Ireland’s competitiveness.”
Members of the Forum were welcomed to Derry City Council Offices by Mayor, Shaun Gallagher, who took the opportunity to highlight for members the key economic issues faced by the region.
Niall Birthistle, President of the Londonderry Chamber of Commerce said: “The Forum was set up to provide a formal mechanism through which organisations such as ours could advise Ministers in the Northern Ireland Administration on issues relating to the development and future competitiveness of the Northern Ireland economy. We all realise that Northern Ireland companies must be competitive if they are to succeed in the global marketplace therefore the work of the Forum, and our input to its endeavours, is of utmost importance. Whilst the Assembly is in a hiatus, the Forum has been continuing its good work but I am sure we join with them in looking forward to a return to devolved government. In the interim however, I would like to take this opportunity to commend them for their hard work and dedication."
At today’s meeting members also discussed the current HMT/DTI consultation document, A Modern Regional Policy for the UK.
Further information about the Forum can be viewed or downloaded at www.edfni.com.
The HMT/DTI consultation document, A Modern Regional Policy for the UK can be viewed or downloaded at http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/media//BE5F8/modregdevcondoc03_1to4.pdf.