23 February 2000

 

THIRD MEETING OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FORUM

"Northern Ireland's success in the knowledge based economy of the future is ultimately down to the efforts of business," Adam Ingram, Minister of State, said today.

The Minister was speaking at the third meeting of the Economic Development Forum, the body set up to advise and make recommendations on matters affecting the development and future competitiveness of the Northern Ireland economy.

Welcoming the progress being made, the Minister said: "Strategy 2010 recognises that the creation of a knowledge based economy lies at the heart of our future economic success.

"Government has a role to play in creating the best possible economic environment to support business in the development of such an economy. The actions already being taken in partnership between the public and private sectors recognise that the Economic Development Forum has an important role to play in shaping future progress."

At the meeting, the Forum considered reports on key themes outlined in Strategy 2010 including the development of a knowledge-based and outward looking economy.

Professor Fabian Monds, Chairman of the Information Age Initiative, which has been established to ensure that Northern Ireland maximises the opportunities offered by information and communication technologies, updated the Forum on plans for the coming months.

The meeting also heard about the recent results of the public examination of the Regional Strategic Framework, prepared by the Department of Regional Development, and the opportunities to develop an all island energy market.

NOTES FOR EDITORS:

The membership of the Economic Development Forum is as follows:

Permanent Secretary DETI	Gerry Loughran
IOD	Eamon McElroy
CBI	Chris Gibson, CBE
NICCI	Stephen Kingon
NIGC	Dr Patrick Haren
NIC/ICTU	Frank Bunting Patricia McKeown Jim McCusker Mick O'Reilly
NICVA	Seamus McAleavy Jacqueline Irwin
UFU	Will Taylor
NIAPA	Miceal McCoy
SOLACE	Michael McGuckin (Cookstown DC)
LONDONDERRY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE	John McDaid
DETI	Dr Alan Gillespie
DRD	Paul Sweeney