Working together to grow a dynamic innovative economy

Economy Minister Arlene Foster encouraged the Economic Development Forum (EDF) to work with the Executive to deliver the Programme for Government’s economic goals.

The EDF was established in 1999 to provide a formal mechanism through which key organisations could advise Northern Ireland Ministers on issues relating to the development and future competitiveness of the economy. It is chaired by the Enterprise, Trade and Investment Minister.

After chairing her first meeting of EDF, the Minister said: “Today’s meeting gave me the earliest possible opportunity to meet and listen to Northern Ireland’s key economic stakeholders.

“During the meeting we had a focused discussion on the importance of working to improve the competitive position of local businesses in Northern Ireland. Clearly the supply of skilled labour is critical to future success.

“We must ensure that the workforce has the necessary skills to compete in the global economy, not just today but in the future. This is particularly important as we seek to build the dynamic, innovative economy envisaged in the Programme for Government.”

The Minister went on to acknowledge that the downturns in the world economy present significant challenges, not least for local companies in Northern Ireland. The minister also stressed the importance of building on the successful US NI Investment Conference.

In welcoming new business representatives to the Forum, including Brian Ambrose, Chair of the CBI in Northern Ireland; Bro McFerran, Chair of the NI Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Joanne Stuart, Chair of the Institute of Directors, the minister highlighted the importance of stakeholders working together and said: “I welcome the commitments made by members of the EDF to work with the Executive to achieve the economic goals outlined in the Programme for Government. The scale of the challenge is such that it requires the coordinated efforts of all stakeholders.”

Issues discussed at the 35th EDF meeting included the actions required to address skill shortages in Northern Ireland; the report by Sir David Varney into the competitiveness of the economy; an update on the recent US / NI Investment Conference and the Review into the workings of the Economic Development Forum.

Notes to Editors:

1. Dates of Forum meetings, as well as background information on the work of the Forum, are available from .the Economic Development Forum.Minutes of all Forum meetings will be published on the Forum’s website once agreed by Forum members. Papers for meetings are also available on request.
2. The agenda at today’s Forum meeting covered Skills, Varney II, the US/NI Investment Conference, the Review and Future Agendas of EDF and an Update from the Vision Sub-groups.
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