ECONOMIC FORUM LOOKS TO REPORT FOR GUIDANCE

MINISTER for Enterprise, Trade and Investment Sir Reg Empey has hailed the publication of the Enterprise, Trade and Investment Committee’s report into Strategy 2010 as a means to provide clear guidance for the province's new economic agency Invest Northern Ireland.

Speaking at the eighth meeting of the Economic Development Forum (EDF), Sir Reg said: "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."

"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 meeting took place at the new offices of the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action 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.

Sir Reg said: "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.

"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 Forum has recently been expanded to include representatives from Higher and Further Education. Professor John Hughes, Pro Vice Chancellor, University of Ulster; and Raymond Mullan, Director, Newry and Kilkeel Institute of Further and Higher Education attended their first meeting of the Economic Development Forum.

The EDF provide advice on all matters affecting the development and future competitiveness of the Northern Ireland economy.

At the meeting the EDF 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 Enterprise Trade and Investment Committee report into Strategy 2010. (SP)