The 17^th meeting of EDF was chaired by Bruce Robinson, Permanent Secretary, Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment and Deputy Chairman of the Economic Development Forum and held at the Centre for Competitiveness offices in Belfast.

When the targets were published, the Forum gave a commitment to produce an annual statement on progress, the first of which will be published in October 2003.

Speaking at today’s meeting, Mr Robinson said: "Publication of Working Together for a Stronger Economy was a unique development for Northern Ireland. For the first time we have an agreed and shared vision of where we see economic success and all the social partners are committed to playing their part in pursuing agreed economic development priorities.

"The annual review process will be vital to success. This will be a critical review of performance to date against key indicators and will identify areas where all members of the Forum can use their influence to increase the likelihood of achieving the agreed targets."

Members also debated how the Forum might maximise the collective influence of their respective organisations to address a number of specific enterprise issues.

Discussion covered a range of issues including proposed fiscal incentives for Northern Ireland. Also at today’s meeting, John Gilliland, who represents the interests of the agricultural sector on the Forum, advised Members of the likely impact on the wider Northern Ireland economy of the Mid-term Review of Common Agricultural Policy. Members also discussed progress in implementing the recommendations of the Employability Taskforce and implementation of the Regional Transportation Strategy.