Press Release
12 September 2001

PROGRESS TOWARDS AN ECONOMIC AGENDA - SIR REG

"Considerable progress has been made towards creating a firm basis for developing the Northern Ireland economy," Sir Reg Empey MLA, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, said today, at the ninth meeting of the Economic Development Forum.

"Work on establishing the new single agency – Invest Northern Ireland – is now well advanced and the Department’s Programme for Government commitments have been fully incorporated into operating plans covering the entire work of the Department and its Agencies."

"It is vital that we maintain this momentum and continue to work in partnership to ensure that a firm strategic direction is clearly established and supported by all concerned," the Minister said.

Today’s meeting took place at the new Ramada Hotel in Belfast where Sir Reg was joined by Dr Sean Farren, Minister for Employment and Learning, along with representatives of the major social partner organisations.

The Economic Development Forum provides advice on all matters affecting the development and future competitiveness of the Northern Ireland economy.

A key issue discussed today was the development of mid-term strategic priorities.

"Strategy 2010 and the Assembly Enterprise, Trade and Investment Committee’s response to it have helped to identify strategic priorities for the Northern Ireland economy. Studies by the Northern Ireland Economic Council and others have also contributed to setting the economic agenda. But it is essential that we now take steps to consolidate the findings of these reports and agree on how best to move forward," Sir Reg said.

"The Economic Development Forum has an important role to play in helping determine mid-term strategic priorities. This important work must be taken forward on a partnership basis if we are to ensure that the direction is clear and that the efforts of key players are maximised," the Minister added.

Other issues considered today were proposals on how best to support small business development in Northern Ireland, the Executive’s second Programme for Government and the DETI Operating Plan which covers the high-level core activities of the Department and its Agencies. Members also received progress reports on the work of the Taskforce on Employability and the Regional Transportation Strategy.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

The membership of the Economic Development Forum is as follows:

Chairman	Sir Reg Empey, MLA, Minister DETI
Deputy Chairman	Bruce Robinson, DETI Permanent Secretary
Minister DRD	Gregory Campbell, MLA
Minister DEL	Dr Sean Farren, MLA
Organisation	Member
CBI	Mark Ennis
NICforC	Bob Barbour
IOD	Dennis Rooney
NICCI	Stephen Kingon
L’Derry Chamber of Commerce	John McDaid
NIC/ICTU	Patricia McKeown
	Jim McCusker
	Mick O'Reilly

Higher Education	Professor John Hughes
Further Education	Raymond Mullan
NICVA	Jacqueline Irwin
	Seamus McAleavey
UFU	Will Taylor
NIAPA	Miceal McCoy
SOLACE	Michael McGuckin (Cookstown DC)