New Initiative to Advance Economic Development of the North West Region - Tánaiste

Mary Harney, Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment today (Friday 3rd November 2000) attended a launch in Dublin of the North West Region Cross Border Group’s investment initiative ‘Ireland North West - The Solution to your Investment Needs’.

Speaking at the launch, which was also attended by Sir Reg Empey, MLA, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, the Tánaiste said, "The North West Cross Border Group is a strong example of cross-border linkage and co-operation. The Group, which incorporates the local councils of Derry, Donegal, Limavady and Strabane, it is to be commended on this new initiative, which aims to provide potential investors with relevant information to assist their investment decisions". The Tánaiste said, "both Governments, through IDA Ireland and the IDB, are fully supportive of the Group’s efforts and a Joint Initiative, agreed in May, between IDA and IDB to promote the region will complement the work of the Group. The aim of this Joint Initiative is that the two agencies will achieve more for the region working together than separately. The North West Group works in close co-operation with both organisations in building contacts with local councils and economic development bodies in the North West area".

The Tánaiste said, "it made economic sense for IDA and IDB to work together with local bodies to help accelerate economic growth in the region. There are a number of issues and challenges common to both organisations in the area, such as access, infrastructure and an underdeveloped industrial base.

"While the IDA and IDB are in competition in a global marketplace for Foreign Direct Investment, there are areas where they can share resources and work together, for the benefit of everyone on both sides of the border", the Tánaiste added.

The Tánaiste also highlighted the important role of Enterprise Ireland who have collaborated with a range of institutions on a North South basis including LEDU, IDB and IRTU. Their collaboration is aimed at facilitating innovation/technology development, business partnership and joint trade promotion opportunities through a range of programmes and initiatives.

The Tánaiste continued, "When a new project is attracted to a region, the resulting boost in confidence makes it easier to persuade local authorities to improve infrastructure, colleges are encouraged to put on and fill new courses and private developers are more interested in providing advance buildings. However, the objective is not merely a question of jobs dispersal, the strategies being pursued are also aimed at bringing a better mix of industry sectors and higher value industries to the North West Region.

""All sorts of other North West Regional initiatives are under way. Air access to County Donegal has been greatly improved by the establishment of the Derry/Dublin route, which has been operational since June, 2000. There are also plans to significantly upgrade the national primary routes in County Donegal as set out in the National Development Plan. IDA Ireland has purchased additional land banks in County Donegal to facilitate the attraction of industry to the area", the Tánaiste added.

The Tánaiste said she was confident that the co-ordinated efforts being made by the IDA and IDB together with the good relationship and co-operative spirit that has been generated as a result of the work of the North West Group, will advance the further economic development of the region.