PRESS RELEASE

9 February 2005

 

WORKING TOGETHER TO MAKE NORTHERN IRELAND’S ECONOMIC VISION A REALITY

 

The Economic Development Forum and the economic development representatives of the local political parties met today to discuss and progress the Economic Vision for Northern Ireland.

 

All parties expressed their broad support for the Economic Vision. There was a collective commitment to ensuring that all sectors would hold each other to account in tracking the progress of the Vision.  A number of issues were raised which will be taken into account before the final Vision document is published.

 

The group also sent out a strong message about the importance of migrant workers to the Northern Ireland economy: “Northern Ireland is attracting migrant workers where skills or labour are in short supply.  We welcome these people and we need the skills and entrepreneurial drive they bring in helping to build a successful future for themselves and for our society.”

Following today’s meeting, the Economic Vision for Northern Ireland will be finalised and published within the next few weeks.

 

NOTES FOR EDITORS

 

The draft Economic Vision for Northern Ireland is available on www.pfgbudgetni.gov.uk.

 

Today’s meeting was attended by representatives of the following organisations:

 

·        The Institute of Directors

·        The Confederation of British Industry,

·        The Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry

·        Centre for Competitiveness,

·        Londonderry Chamber of Commerce,

·        Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action

·        Invest NI

·        The Society of Local Authority Chief Executives

·        Northern Ireland Committee /Irish Congress of Trades Unions

·        Ulster Farmers Union

·        Ulster Unionist Party

·        Social Democratic & Labour Party

·        Democratic Unionist Party

·        Sinn Fein

·        Alliance Party

·        Dept of Enterprise, Trade & Investment

·        Dept for Employment & Learning

·        Dept of Finance & Personnel

·        Dept for Regional Development

·        Dept of Agriculture & Rural Development

·        The further & higher education institutions.