 |
|
|
 |
 |
| |
|
|
| Page:
< 1 2 > |
|
|
Strategy
2010, the economic development strategy for Northern Ireland |
In
the Good Friday Agreement, the British government gave a commitment to
"make rapid progress with" a new economic development strategy
for Northern Ireland "which would provide for short and medium term
economic planning linked as appropriate to the regional development strategy".
Northern Ireland is no stranger to economic policy documents; Strategy
2010 is the 11th such report since 1957. But unlike the previous reports
Strategy 2010 does break new ground in elevating the social dimension
of economic progress, both in terms of mobilising the contribution of
all stakeholders and in ensuring that no social group is marginalized
and left behind in the new economy.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| The
Economic Development Strategy Review Steering Group produced Strategy 2010:
A Draft Economic Policy Review, which was launched in March 1999 by the
Minister for the Economy, Adam Ingram. Strategy 2010 had a mixed reception
from politicians, business people and trades unions. Its vision statement
of an economy that sought to bring about "a fast growing, competitive,
knowledge-based economy where there are plentiful opportunities and a population
equipped to grasp them" was considered a laudable aspiration. Gaffikin
and Morrissey have raised questions about the precision and appropriateness
of the targets, and the extent to which they are under-pinned by a suitably
sophisticated analysis of the structural weaknesses and potential of the
regional economy. More generally, there is concern as to whether the Review
document's ten targets and 62 recommendations can be met. |
|
|
| |
|
|
In
his foreword the Minister emphasises that the document "is for discussion
and debate" because "real and effective long-term change cannot
be achieved without the widespread involvement of the wider community".
The Northern Ireland Economic Council set up by the Secretary of State in
1977 to provide independent advice on economic development produced A Step-Change
in Economic Performance? A Response to Strategy 2010. While the Council
welcomed the vision of an innovative and knowledge-based economy it criticised
Strategy 2010 for being "weak and ad hoc" and called for public
consultation before implementation. The Economic and Social Research Institute
in Dublin said it was "built on poor or non-existent analysis and delivers
a vague and unfocused set of recommendations".
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| Page:
< 1 2 > |
|
|
|
