Press Release
14 June 2001

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FORUM MEETS AT NICVA, BELFAST

"The publication of the Enterprise, Trade and Investment Committee’s report into Strategy 2010 means that we now have a number of important analyses of strategic priorities for the Northern Ireland economy," Sir Reg Empey, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, said at the eighth meeting of the Economic Development Forum.

"It is vital that we crystallise the thoughts behind these analyses and give clear direction to the new economic development agency, Invest Northern Ireland," the Minister said.

The meeting took place at the new offices of the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA) in Duncairn Gardens, North Belfast, an area which has suffered greatly during the conflict and, although severely disadvantaged socially and economically, is showing distinct signs of regeneration.

The Economic Development Forum, through its social partnership members, is keenly aware of the issues affecting communities such as North Belfast.

"Promoting economic development and creating jobs in areas like North Belfast is a high priority. I am very aware of the energy within the local community around Duncairn," Sir Reg said.

"Local community groups, for example, have organised "Job Fairs", bringing large numbers of the local unemployed into contact with expanding firms recruiting new people. I want to ensure that we can promote the conditions to attract the investment and jobs that will connect with this local, enterprising nature.

"As local community groups here have demonstrated, we now have the opportunity and the means to help ourselves achieve a more prosperous future."

The Minister and members of the Economic Development Forum were welcomed to NICVA by its Director and EDF member, Seamus McAleavey.

The Forum has recently been expanded, in line with a recommendation by the ETI Committee, to include representatives from Higher and Further Education. Sir Reg Empey welcomed Professor John Hughes, Pro Vice Chancellor, University of Ulster; and Raymond Mullan, Director, Newry and Kilkeel Institute of Further and Higher Education to their first meeting of the Economic Development Forum.

The Economic Development Forum provides advice on all matters affecting the development and future competitiveness of the Northern Ireland economy. At the meeting it considered developments in establishing the new economic development agency Invest Northern Ireland, progress with the work of the Taskforce on Employability, and provided its initial views on medium-term priorities for economic development arising from the recent ETI Committee report into Strategy 2010.

NOTES FOR EDITORS

The membership of the Economic Development Forum is as follows:

Chairman

Deputy Chairman

Minister DRD

Minister DHFETE

Organisation and Member