20/09/2001

Campbell sets out Regional Development Strategy

Regional Development Minister, Gregory Campbell has announced the formulation of the anticipated Regional Development Strategy (RDS) for Northern Ireland.

The move follows Monday’s decision by the Assembly to agree the strategy, which guides the future development of Northern Ireland during the next 25 years.

Mr Campbell said: "The strategy, which is being formulated today under the Strategic Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 1999, represents the culmination of work that commenced in 1997.

"Now that the Strategy has been agreed by the Assembly it is critical that we move ahead quickly to implement it.

"The task will be challenging, but can be done. Public policy alone will not deliver the strategy. The market, through private sector investment decisions and the choices of individuals, plays a key role. But policy can influence those decisions and choices.

"It will require partnership of key stakeholders, including members of the Assembly. District Councils will also have an important role to play in helping deliver the Strategy. Over the next few months my department will initiate discussions with district council staff to see how we might work together, with the emerging local strategy partnerships, on key aspects of the Strategy."

In stressing the importance of managing progress and co-ordinating efforts to develop the region over the course of the life of the Strategy, Mr Campbell said that he would be establishing - and chairing - an inter-departmental steering group which would strive to bring greater coherence and synergy to the policies impacting on the long-term development of Northern Ireland.

The document is available from the Regional Planning Division of the Department for Regional Development in Belfast and online at: www.drdni.gov.uk/shapingourfuture (CL)

Related Northern Ireland Business News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

17 September 2001
Campbell urges Assembly agreement for future strategy
Regional Development Minister Gregory Campbell has urged the Assembly to come to a swift decision regarding the future of the Regional Development Strategy so that implementation of the initiative can begin as soon as possible.
14 July 2015
Ministers Discuss Progress On Agri-Food Sector
Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Michelle O'Neill and Enterprise, Trade and Investment Minister Jonathan Bell recently met with the Agri-Food Strategy Board to discuss progress on delivery of the strategic action plan for the agri-food sector, 'Going for Growth'.
02 August 2011
Jobs Boost As Co Down Construction Firm Grows
A company that specialises in the manufacture of eco-friendly structurally insulated panels (SIPs) for the construction industry is to expand operations, and take on new staff. SipFit Ltd from Warrenpoint has set a target of achieving £3 million worth of new export business over the next three years with support from Invest Northern Ireland.
07 October 2015
£10,000 To Be Shared Between Eight Separate Regional Development Squads
Belfast City Council has announced it has shared £10,000 between eight separate Regional Development Squads. The squads act as 'hot houses' for young talent offering intensive coaching and providing increased competition experience for young contenders.
27 April 2011
Housing Experts Back City Apartment Plan
There has been a warm welcome expressed for a proposed apartment development in downtown Belfast - in the face of an apparent fall in the population of the city. Tom McClelland of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) told BBC NI that it welcomed the "boost for the urban environment".