NORTH SEA COMMISSION

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GROUP

REPORT TO

THE NSC GENERAL ASSEMBLY JUNE 2004

1. Introduction

The aim of this report is to summarise the work of the North Sea Commission (NSC) Economic Development Group (EDG) since the last NSC General Assembly in June 2003. It will also describe the Group's future priorities and projects.

2003-2004 has been a very active year for the EDG, and the group has continued to build on its achievements in increased partnership working with the other NSC Thematic Groups.

2. EDG Chair, Vice-Chairs and Co-ordinator

Over the last twelve months Councillor Ms Audrey Findlay (Aberdeenshire Council, Scotland) has been the Chair of this group and the Vice-Chairs have been Ms Rinske Kruisinga (Noord-Holland, Netherlands) and Mr Thore Westermoen (Vest-Agder Fylkeskommune, Norway). Vivien Collie in Scotland has continued in the role of Group Co-ordinator.

3. EDG Meetings

Since the last NSC General Assembly the EDG has met in Aberdour, Scotland (October 2003), Viborg, Denmark (January 2004), and Ipswich, England (April 2004). In addition dialogue and partnership working has continued with the other NSC Thematic Groups, and specialist EDG sub-group meetings have taken place to advance new and existing projects.

4. EDG Meeting in Aberdour, Scotland, on October 3, 2003

This meeting was held in Aberdour, Fife in Scotland. Guest speakers gave presentations on:

• an overview of the local economy
• the new business development support network in Scotland
• the Euromontana project
• the LEADER+ programme
• the Interreg IIIB North Sea Programme

The meeting had a wide-ranging agenda including an update on NSC activities, Interreg projects and funding timescales for 2004. The group also discussed CAP Reform and the likely issues for member areas.

The group also discussed the proposal to develop a variety of joint projects and events with the other NSC Thematic Groups including the idea of creating a joint North Sea Ports and Shipping Partnership, an ICT event, a fisheries conference and a traditional food seminar.

The EDG also heard feedback from representatives involved in its two specialist subgroups.

Other topics covered at the meeting included discussion on new projects and the future development and funding of the group. The meeting finished with a visit to the National Seafood Week activities at the Scottish Fisheries Museum in Anstruther, Fife.

5. EDG Meeting in Viborg, Denmark, on January 22, 2004

Guest speakers at this meeting addressed the following topics:

• the local economy
• the local business start up and business development programme
• the business development activities at the Agro Business Park
• broadband planning

The meeting included a Study Tour to the specialist Agro Business Park near Viborg.

The formal meeting of the Group included an update on NSC activities, the funding of the group, current Interreg projects, an outline of research on the likely impact of the CAP Reform, and the development of the Scandinavian Triangle and SME365.com project. In addition the group discussed future joint NSC activities.

The EDG also heard feedback from representatives involved in the Renewable Energy Subgroup and the Business Centre Networking subgroup.

6. EDG Meeting in Ipswich, England on 16 April, 2004.

This meeting started with a study tour along the River Orwell including Ipswich Wet Dock via Felixstowe to Harwich Harbour.

At the formal meeting of the group members discussed:

• the production of a leaflet and pdf file to promote the work of the EDG
• the opportunity for publicity in a UK regeneration publication
• networking between local food and drink forums
• representation on the CPMR CAP Reform and Rural Development Group
• the draft EDG Action Plan
• networking with other European economic development organisations

The group also discussed the various joint NSC events and projects and received updates on the work of the two EDG Subgroups.

7. The EDG Subgroups

During 2003 the EDG established two specialist Subgroups.

(a) Renewable Energy Subgroup

The Renewable Energy Subgroup was created to investigate the business opportunities offered by the renewable energy sector in the North Sea area. The aim of the subgroup is to help ensure macro benefits from the growth of the renewable energy sector assist businesses and communities on a micro level. In addition, the subgroup will aim to advise political representatives on the legislation and market forces affecting this industrial sector in the North Sea area.

The Renewable Energy Subgroup met for the first time in Aberdeen, Scotland in May 2003. Since then it has had a very successful meeting in Ipswich, England in November 2003. The main topic for debate was the draft OSPAR Guidelines on Offshore Wind Farms. The group agreed to provide specialist input to the NSC’s formal response to the OSPAR Guidelines.

The meeting also included a study tour of a new Primary School that had been built by Suffolk County Council as a showcase sustainable building project. There were also guest speakers on business support for renewable energy developments, renewable energy agencies and business development issues, and the importance of public awareness and community involvement.

The third meeting of the Subgroup formed part of a very successful joint NSC Biomass event held in Göteburg, Sweden in February 2004. The meeting included discussions on Intelligent Energy – Europe and new project and partnership proposals.

The fourth meeting of the Subgroup was held in Aberdeen, Scotland during May 2004 as part of the UK ‘All-Energy’ Conference and Exhibition. The fifth meeting of the group is planned for October 2004 and will be held in Husum, Germany as part of the 'New Energy Husum' exhibition and conference.

(b) The Business Centres Networking Subgroup

The Business Centres Networking Subgroup was established to examine the potential of sharing best practice in the management and operation of Business Centres within the North Sea area.

The overall aim of this Group is to benefit professional Business Centre Managers and the companies who operate from Business Centres. Through this project, Business Centre Managers will gain information about how other Centres operate within the North Sea area, and businesses will have the opportunity of developing new trade links locally and internationally. The Group also aims to encourage best practice management of Business Centres, compare different methods of business incubation support and improve networking between SMEs locally, nationally and internationally.

This subgroup met for the first time at Wilhelmshaven, Germany in June 2003. Since then it has met in Rosyth, Fife in Scotland during October 2003 where members visited the Rosyth Europarc Business Innovation Centre and had a discussion on Risk Management and Business Centres. The group also visited the specialist Agro Business Park near Viborg in Denmark during January 2004.

8. EDG Joint Projects and Partnership Working

Over the last twelve months the EDG has been involved in a wide range of projects and activities involving the other NSC Thematic Groups.

This has included:

(a) Bio-mass and bio-fuel projects in the North Sea area

Members of the NSC Economic Development Group and Environment Group held a very successful joint event to examine local bio-mass and bio-fuel projects in the North Sea area. The event was held in Göteburg, Sweden on the 4^th and 5^th of February 2004. The meeting attracted delegates from five different countries. This meeting explored the business opportunities and environmental benefits of Bio-mass projects in the North Sea area.

Members and guest speakers discussed national renewable energy strategies, the impact of the CAP Reform, and local bio-mass energy projects operating in member countries around the North Sea.

This meeting helped to raise awareness of sources of external funding and best practice in the renewable energy sector, highlight opportunities for bio-mass projects in the future, and identify policy areas that require input from the NSC. The event also acted as a networking forum for future joint working and possible funding applications.

(b) Culinary Heritage and local food projects around the North Sea

The EDG was involved in the organisation of a joint NSC seminar on culinary heritage, food tourism and local food projects in the North Sea area. This event was held in the Wesermarsch area in Germany at the start of May 2004. The aims of this event were to:

· Identify key consumer and food tourism trends around the North Sea.

· Identify key food production and retail trends around the North Sea.

· Share experiences from around the North Sea.

· Increase communication between regional food projects around the North Sea area.

· Investigate the possibility of new joint initiatives and sources of funding.

· Learn from best practice projects around the North Sea.

The seminar involved delegates from seven different countries, with representatives from the NSC Culture and Tourism Group, Economic Development Group, Education and Research Group and the Environment Group.

The event was very successful and has identified a number of representatives from around the North Sea who are interested in further joint events, actions and projects on this theme.

(c) Ports and Water Transport Partnership for the North Sea

Following the success of a joint meeting with the NSC Transport and Communications Group during 2003 it was agreed that consideration should be given to developing a Ports and Water Transport Partnership for the North Sea.

The EDG will continue to work with the NSC Transport and Communications Group to develop this initiative during 2004-2005.

Other planned joint NSC events and projects include:

• Participating in the NSC joint conference on the changing role of women in Fishing and Farming Communities (due to be held in Aberdeenshire, Scotland during June 2004).
• Participating in the NSC Environment Group conference on 'Sustainable Innovation' (due to be held in Norway during October 2004).
• Investigating the possibility of hosting a joint NSC event on the theme of broadband and ICT during 2004-2005.

9. EDG Membership

Membership of the EDG is diverse and includes a wide range of expertise. This expertise reflects different working practices and methods in the fields of Economic Development and Business Support within the North Sea Commission area. During 2003 - 2004 the Group membership list has been updated and additional databases have been created for professionals interested in specialist topics (renewable energy, business centers and local food initiatives). Information is regularly sent to approximately 80 Group members and additional contacts within the NSC, plus representatives on the specialist EDG subgroups.

10. The Future

The Economic Development Group continues to provide a good forum for exchanging information and best practice. Over the next series of meetings the group intends to include more discussion on policy making, and to increase the level of the Group's political involvement and influence in the future.

During 2004 - 2005 the Group Co-ordinator also hopes to continue to progress new and existing projects, attract additional members, form strategic relationships with other European economic development organisations and to develop the opportunities offered by working in partnership with the other NSC Thematic Groups.

The next meeting of the EDG is planned for September 2004 in Norway.

Minutes of all meetings of the EDG and its specialist subgroups, and reports from the various joint Thematic Group events, are available on the NSC website.