Press Release
20 June 2002

Unique Strategy Document Launched by the Economic Development Forum

A unique Framework Document, launched today (20th June 2002) by the Economic Development Forum, outlines the key priorities to be addressed by all sectors if the Northern Ireland Economy is to be significantly strengthened by 2010.

The document – the first publication by the Economic Development Forum – entitled “Working Together for a Stronger Economy” represents an important step in a partnership approach to economic development and provides the Forum’s shared vision of economic success for NI.

The Framework Document identifies the need for action in the following seven key priority areas from now to 2010:

Each of these priority areas have an identified overall objective, a series of performance indicators and associated targets and have been directly linked to a series of supporting actions by key contributors.

Targets announced today include:

By 2010

  • Increase manufacturing and private services productivity to close to or above UK levels

(Knowledge / Productivity Growth)

  • Increase R & D Expenditure per employee to UK levels

(Innovation and Creativity)

  • Increase the NI business birth rate closer to the UK level

(Enterprise)

  • Exports to grow to UK levels (per employee) and tourism numbers to double

(Outward Looking)

  • Lower longer-term unemployment to UK levels

(Equality of Opportunity /Social Inclusion)

  • Raise the skill levels of the NI workforce and in particular raise levels of essential skills

(Human Capital – enhancing capabilities and skills)

  • Raise broadband access to 10% of Invest NI client companies by 2005

(Competitive Physical Infrastructure)

Mr Bob Barbour, a member of the Forum and representing the views of the Centre for Competitiveness, CBI, IOD and NICCI, said:

“The targets we have set for the economy are realistic ones.  Our aim is to set in motion a process that will ultimately improve Northern Ireland’s position on the European League Table in terms of GDP per head.  We also saw a need to develop a mechanism that would ensure all sectors – public, private, community and voluntary – were pulling in the right, and indeed the same, direction to achieve our economic goals.  In this Framework we now have, for the first time in Northern Ireland, a single point of reference within which all sectors can operate, working in partnership, to strengthen the NI economy.  This is a process owned by the Economic Development Forum and we will take responsibility for driving it forward.”

Chairman of the Economic Development Forum, Sir Reg Empey MLA, said at the launch:

“This document presents a clear and agreed statement by the Forum of the priorities to be addressed by all sectors if the Northern Ireland economy is to be significantly strengthened during the period to the year 2010.  Working in partnership will be the key to success.  All members of the Forum have contributed to the development of this Framework and are committed to playing their part in pursuing the agreed economic development priorities.”

Endorsing the work of the Economic Development Forum, Mrs Carmel Hanna, Minister for Employment and Learning, said:

“If we are to move the Northern Ireland economy forward we must have foresight, ambition and courage.

Today we have heard from the social partners representing industry, trade unions, the voluntary sector and education as well as Ministers in the Executive.  This unique combination of stakeholders is working together to create a sound economic future for everyone in our society.  

“In the coming months my Department will be reporting on the work of the Employability Taskforce.  I am confident that the goal of equality of opportunity for every citizen through the achievement of employability can be achieved.”

Mr Peter Bunting, representing NIC/ICTU, added:

“The Irish Congress of Trade Unions welcomes the recognition in the priorities that all sections of our society have a role to play in raising our economic performance on to a higher plane.  Of special interest to trade unions is the focus on the skills of our community and on the integration of disadvantaged individuals and groups.”

This Framework Document has not been developed in isolation.  Forum members were keen to build on previous analysis of the NI economy and have taken account of the main themes emerging from a number of key sources including the Strategy 2010 report, the ETI Committee’s response to that report, the Executive’s Programme for Government and other existing economic research material, such as the NIEC statement on “The Capabilities and Innovations Perspective: the Way Ahead for Northern Ireland” by Michael H Best.

Membership of the Economic Development Forum includes representatives from business organisations, trade unions, Government, including local Government, the Further and Higher Education sectors, the Voluntary and Community sector and the Agricultural sector.  Its role is to provide advice to Ministers in the NI Administration on issues relating to the development and future competitiveness of the NI Economy.

- Ends -

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Notes to Editors
One:                Background to Economic Development Forum
Two:                List of EDF Members
Three:             A full copy of the Strategy Document can be located on the CforC website on www.cforc.org