Socio-economic review launches in Mid-West
The Mid-West Regional Authority (MWRA) says the Mid-West Regional Profile 2012 will form the basis for determining plans and policies for the future of the region, and encourage international and indigenous investment into the Mid- West.
Today’s conference — Economic Development in the Regions: The Way Forward — will be launched by Planning and Housing Minister, Jan O’Sullivan.
Around 150 industry officials and members of local authorities, public and private sector agencies, semi-state and civil society organisations and research institutions will also attend the event in Ennistymon.
Speakers scheduled to address the event include the minister , Dean Panter of Fáilte Ireland; Irish Exporters’ Association chief John Whelan and Pat Keating, head of Shannon- Foynes Port Company.
MWRA Director Liam Conneally said: “The profile offers a strategic planning framework for the Mid- West Region, and has been developed through a collaborative process involving the inputs of local authorities, third-level institutions, public and private sector agencies, semi-state and civil society organisations and research institutions.
“The profile builds upon the Central Statistics Office publication of preliminary Census 2011 results released in June 2011, and consolidates all other relevant statistics to give a comprehensive overview of the region”, Mr Conneally added.
“It is hoped that this consolidated document will assist decision-makers, relevant stakeholders and policy makers in the Mid-West and provide an evidence base to support their decisions. We anticipate that this, in turn, will help to ensure the Mid-West Region is well positioned to benefit from and contribute to future economic improvements”.
MWRA Cathaoirleach Cllr Joe Leddin said: “This conference will enable key policy makers and implementation bodies at a local, regional and national level to share their expertise on the issue of regional economic recovery and balanced regional economic development.
