Press Release
12 June 2002

Meeting of the Economic Development Forum – 12 June 2002, at The Burnavon Centre, Cookstown.

Sir Reg Empey, MLA, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment welcomed members of the Economic Development Forum to their twelfth meeting which was held today at the Burnavon Arts and Culture Centre in Cookstown.

The Forum was established to provide advice to Ministers on matters affecting the development and future competitiveness of the Northern Ireland economy and is attended by representatives of the major social partner organisations.

Of particular interest to members at today’s meeting was the Forum’s forthcoming publication of their medium term strategic priorities document entitled “Working Together for a Stronger Economy” which is scheduled to be launched on 20 June.  The document, which has been developed in partnership by all members of the Forum, takes account of and reflects the main themes from a number of key sources such as the Strategy 2010 Report, the ETI Committee’s response to that Report, the Executive’s Programme for Government and existing economic research material.

In commending all members for their enthusiastic and active involvement in developing these priorities, Sir Reg stated “By collectively focusing attention and actions on the key priorities identified by the Forum, I am confident that all sectors can make a major contribution to securing Northern Ireland’s future economic success.  The framework developed by the Forum will provide a single point of reference within which all sectors can operate, working in partnership to strengthen the Northern Ireland economy.”  This publication, the first by EDF, will provide a high-level strategic framework of priorities, objectives, performance indicators, targets, supporting actions and key contributors.

Today’s meeting also provided Forum members with an opportunity to meet representatives of the Cookstown Local Strategy Partnership - one of the contributors to the achievement of the strategic priorities.  A delegation updated Forum members on LSP developments, reflecting the close links between the two organisations.  “LSPs have a major contribution to make to economic development in Northern Ireland”, the Minister said.  “Their membership and role mirror, at a local level, that of the work of the Forum at a regional level. Forum members will continue to take a keen interest in the development of the LSP network and will be keen to engage further in the months and years ahead.”

Members of the Forum also received updates on DETI’s Corporate Plan, DRD’s Regional Transportation Strategy and DEL’s Employability Taskforce.

NOTES FOR EDITORS

The membership of the Economic Development Forum is as follows:

BURNAVON ARTS & CULTURAL CENTRE, COOKSTOWN

The Burnavon is a multi-use facility designed to accommodate a wide range of events and activities.  In addition to a state of the art 351-seat auditorium, the Burnavon hosts the local Tourist Information Centre incorporating the district's first twenty-four hour 'Touch Screen' information service.  Situated in the heart of Cookstown, the Burnavon, the first of its kind in Mid-Ulster.