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UK MANUFACTURERS MUST INNOVATE TO BEAT EU COMPETITION
Tuesday 3 December 2002
"Manufacturing is crucial to our economy." That
was the message of DTI Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State
for Small Business, Nigel Griffiths, when he met the Chairs of
the English Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) and other manufacturing
industry representatives in Manchester.
The comments came with an early warning for British manufacturing
companies who were also told that there were just over 500 days
remaining until 10 new countries join the EU.
He added: "We've launched the first Government manufacturing
strategy for over 30 years but we need delivery through the regions
and on the ground. The truth is, there is a limit to what central
Government can do from London - that's why the work
of our RDAs will be so crucial."
Leading the campaign on behalf of the RDAs, Chairman of the South
East England Development Agency (SEEDA), Allan Willett CMG, said:
"We welcome the opportunity to debate and reaffirm our commitment
to manufacturing and to illustrate the actions and support taking
place in the regions. Each region has developed and produced a
plan to capture the range of activities and support for manufacturing
firms in its efforts to promote competitiveness in the sector.
"To meet the challenges of an even more competitive global
economy manufacturing industry needs to focus on its investment
in new technologies and innovation, and develop its workforce
through training. This is the challenge and also the key to business
performance and sector success. New technology and know-how is
a major driver for innovative manufacturing in the regions, harnessing
strengths to generate wealth."
The special meeting was also attended by industry leaders, the
TUC, CBI, Engineering Employers' Federation (EEF) and other
leading manufacturing stakeholders and was hosted by the Manufacturing
Institute in Manchester.
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