Ulster Society Focuses on New Economic Strategy for NI (10th June 2010)

Northern Ireland’s Chartered Accountants today pledged to lend their expertise to assist in the development of a new economic strategy for Northern Ireland.

Speaking at the Chartered Accountants in Business Lunch at Malone House in Belfast, Chartered Accountants Ulster Society Chairman Richard Gardiner said that the time was right for the development of a strategy which would leave the local economy best placed to benefit from global economic recovery.

Richard Gardiner welcomed guest speaker David Sterling, Permanent Secretary of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, who provided an update on the actions undertaken following the Independent Review of Economic Policy.

Mr. Sterling outlined the significant steps already taken by the Enterprise Minister, Arlene Foster in setting up the Executive Sub-Committee on the Economy, which has been established as a joined-up approach by the Executive to develop an economic strategy.  A new Economic Advisory Group, chaired by independent economist Kate Barker CBE, has also been established to provide expert advice, from the fields of business, skills and economics, to the Enterprise Minister.  Mr. Sterling went on to explain that the primary focus, over the next few months, will be the development of an economic strategy that can inform the next Programme for Government, in March 2011.

Pictured at today’s Chartered Accountants in Business Lunch are (from left) Stephen Prenter, Chairman, Building for Recovery Working Group; Jeremy Fitch, Chartered Accountants Ulster Society;  Richard Gardiner, Chartered Accountants Ulster Society Chairman; John Turkington of event sponsors Ulster Bank; and guest speaker David Sterling, Permanent Secretary, Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment.

A copy of David Sterling's presentation is available HERE

A copy of Stephen Prenter's presentation is available HERE