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2001 Conference - Rotorua
Conference Leads to Further Regional Development
Media Release by Hon Jim
Anderton, Deputy Prime Minister,, Minister for Economic Development,
Minister for Industry and Regional Development
29 November 2001
More jobs and stronger regions will result from New Zealand's
first regional development conference in 31 years, says Regional
Development Minister Jim Anderton.
There will be plans for another conference sometime in the next
two years.
"We need another conference or similar events in the future,
so I will propose plans for one sometime in the next two years.
Rather than the title 'a springboard for growth' the working title
for the next one could be 'how to manage regional growth that is
larger than you could ever have imagined'."
Jim Anderton outlined the achievements of the two day 600
delegate conference in his keynote speech to close the event.
"The profile of regional development has been raised through
national television and radio coverage and the provincial
newspapers. Delegates have all taken two things they will follow up
on their return to their regions, that means we now have 1,200
action points. If even a tenth of them bear fruit this will be a
significant contribution to the economic development of our local
and regional communities.
"There have been important workshops on key issues.
Delegates have met people and created new links and relationships.
Delegates shared their views with other regions, the Ministry of
Economic Development, Industry New Zealand, government agencies and
Ministers," said Jim Anderton.
In the next budget Jim Anderton will seek to improve the key
Regional Partnerships Programme by providing greater encouragement
and facilitation for the development of clusters; better
coordination for the range of government business assistance
measures in the regions, particularly to high growth companies; and
promoting a closer relationship between our industry strategies and
regional strategies.
He has also asked the Ministry of Economic Development to
investigate providing seed funding to have New Zealanders take ideas
and programmes around other regions.
Media Enquiries: Sam Fisher [press secretary] 021-714 209
http://www.executive.govt.nz/minister/anderton/index.html
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