Economic Development Group

REPORT TO NSC GENERAL ASSEMBLY 20 JUNE 2003

1. Introduction

The aim of this report is to summarise the work of the North Sea Commission (NSC) Business Development Group (BDG) since the last NSC General Assembly in June 2002.  It will also describe the Group's future priorities and projects. 

2002-2003 has been a very active and rewarding year for the BDG, these activities have included an increased emphasis on partnership working with the other NSC Thematic Groups.

2. BDG Chair, Vice-Chair and Co-ordinator 

Throughout 2002-2003 Councillor Anne McGovern of Fife Council, Scotland has continued in her role as the Chair of the BDG and Mr Thore Westermoen of Vest-Agder Fylkeskommune, Norway has continued as the Vice- Chair.  Vivien Collie of Fife Council, Scotland has been the Group Co-ordinator. 

3. BDG Meetings

The BDG has held four meetings since the last NSC General Assembly.  The first meeting was on 23 August 2002 in Aalborg, Denmark.  The second meeting was on 6 December 2002 in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, the third meeting was held on 12 March 2003 in Bergen, Norway and the fourth meeting, in Wilhelmshaven on 17 June 2003, was planned to coincide with this year's NSC General Assembly in Germany. 

In addition to the formal meetings of the BDG, Group members are kept up to date with e mailed information on current activities, questionnaires have been circulated to Group members, the BDG Co-ordinator has attended meetings involving the other NSC Thematic Groups, and a number of small sub-group meetings have taken place to advance new and existing projects.

4. BDG Meeting in Aalborg, Denmark on 23 August 2002

The NSC Business Development Group meeting on 23 August 2002 was held in Aalborg, Denmark.  Fifteen people attended this meeting.

At this meeting the Group was given an insight into recent major changes in the local economy, and the area's successful investment in new technology.  The Group also discussed the issues and opportunities offered by organic farming.  This included major changes in the agricultural sector and increasing interest in sustainability both locally and globally.    

The Group members also discussed the proposal to develop a major new Interreg IIIB funding application on the subject of Rural Development.

At the meeting the Group was given updates on the current Bridge IT-E-Business, and www.SME365.com / North Sea Exchange Protocol Interreg IIIB funding applications.

5. BDG Meeting in Aberdeenshire, Scotland on 6 December 2002

The next meeting of the NSC Business Development Group was held in Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, on 6 December 2002. 

Eighteen people attended this meeting.  As part of the meeting, the Group heard presentations on the Aberdeenshire economy, the EU Green Paper on Entrepreneurship, Community Economic Development and the national Farm Business Development Scheme.  At the meeting the Group was given updates on Interreg IIIB funding and current project applications.

The Group also discussed the CPMR CAP Reform, the proposal to have a joint meeting with the NSC Transport and Communications Group, the potential of hosting a joint event on ICT, the proposal to host a conference with the NSC Fisheries Group and NSC Education and Research Group, and the potential of developing a project linking Business Centres within the North Sea area.

The BDG Co-ordinator reported back on the NSC Wind Energy conference that had been held in November in Blankenberge, Belgium.  This event highlighted business opportunities and employment aspects within the North Sea area.  The BDG agreed that this was a subject that should be pursued further and that a specialist subgroup should be established. 

6. BDG Meeting in Bergen, Norway on 12 March 2003

The third meeting of the NSC Business Development Group took place in Bergen, Norway on 12 March 2003.  Eighteen people attended this meeting.

The meeting started with an overview of the local economy and the work of Hordaland County Council.  The meeting continued with a discussion on the need to introduce more strategic and political issues into the work of the BDG.  The Group then discussed proposed joint projects on Ports and Shipping, ICT, on the changing role of women in traditional rural communities, and the establishment of a specialist group on the subject of Renewable Energy opportunities in the North Sea area.

At the end of the meeting BDG members boarded the Hurtigruten.   The boat departed from Bergen on Wednesday 12 March.  During Thursday 13 March BDG members took part in a joint seminar held on the Hurtigruten with members of the NSC Transport and Communications Group (T&CG).  This seminar included talks on the work of the NSC T&CG, the results of a survey of BDG members on port and shipping issues and projects, current Interreg projects on ports/shipping/maritime themes, the JadeWeserPort development in Wilhelmshaven, the new Fife-Zeebrugge ferry, the Interreg IIIB Northern Maritime Project and a discussion on a future joint event on the theme of Broadband and ICT.

As part of this joint seminar, the Group members also had a talk from a representative from the Alesund Harbour Authority and an opportunity to take part in a study tour of the town centre and harbour area (see photos).

The event finished on arrival in Trondheim on Friday 14 March.     

7. BDG Meeting in Wilhelmshaven, Germany on 17 June 2003

This meeting of the BDG has been planned to coincide with the NSC General Assembly and will take place in Wilhelmshaven, Germany on 17 June 2003.

Group members will hear guest speakers talking on the local economy.  They will also have the opportunity to take part in a study tour of the area.  The BDG meeting will include discussions on

• the results of the meeting on Business Opportunities in the North Sea Renewable Energy sector (Aberdeen 22-23 May).
• the proposed development of a joint North Sea "Ports and Shipping Partnership".
• the proposed NSC conference on the changing role of Women in traditional Farming and Fishing Communities in the North Sea.
• the proposed development of a network of North Sea Business Centres.
• the proposed joint NSC conference on ICT.
• the theme for a political meeting of the NSC BDG to be held in Brussels.
• an update on Interreg funding and applications.

8. BDG Projects and Partnership Working

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

The year started with the BDG jointly supporting the very successful Seminar on "Cultural Assets and Business Development" organised by the NSC Culture and Tourism Group. This was held on 18 June at the General Assembly in Norwich, England.  It is intended that these two Thematic Groups will continue this relationship and investigate additional partnership projects in the future.    

Throughout the year, members of the BDG have also worked with the NSC Education and Research Group to develop the NSEP Project.  This project builds on the Business Partner Network (www.sme365.com) facility originally developed by members of the BDG.   This website project, led by Telemark and Aust-Agder in Norway, created a web-based network of businesses around the North Sea area.   Its 'matchmaking facility' allows businesses in partner regions to identify potential joint venture partners (eg for distribution agreements, licensing, franchising etc).   Members of the NSC Education and Research Group are now looking at developing this web-based project and introducing new training opportunities and networking events.

In November 2002, the BDG Co-ordinator attended the NSC Wind Energy conference at Blankenberge in Belgium.  This high profile event was organised by members of the NSC Environment Group.  As part of this event, the BDG Co-ordinator hosted two popular workshops on "Wind Energy and Regional Development - the business opportunities and employment aspects".  These workshops highlighted the local economic potential offered by the wind energy industry, and the issues affecting its future growth.  As a result of this event, a new Renewable Energy subgroup has been formed to investigate economic development opportunities offered by this sector in the North Sea area.  The first meeting of this subgroup was held on 22-23 May in Aberdeen, Scotland to coincide with a major All Energy conference.  An Interreg IIIB North Sea Programme Project Idea on this topic has now also been put forward.

The highly successful joint meeting on the Hurtigruten with the NSC Transport and Communications Group resulted in a number of conclusions and actions for the future.  These include an agreement for greater exchange of information and joint working on ports and shipping issues and investigating the potential of establishing a North Sea "Ports and Shipping Partnership".  It was also agreed that a joint seminar on Broadband and ICT be held in Belgium (provisional date 10 September) including members of the NSC BDG, the NSC T&CG and the NSC Education and Research Group.

Also this year, NSC BDG members will be involved in a joint project with the NSC Fisheries Group.  It is proposed that a conference will be held on the theme of the "Changing role of women in traditional Farming and Fishing Communities".   This is a joint event with input from different NSC Thematic Groups.  (A provisional date of 25/26 September has been identified and the suggested venue for the event is Aberdeenshire, Scotland).

9. BDG Membership

Membership of the BDG 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 2002 - 2003 the Group membership list has been updated.  Information is regularly sent to approximately 60 Group members and additional contacts within the NSC.

10. The Future

The Business Development Group continues to provide a good forum for exchanging experiences and information.  Over the next series of meetings, however, we hope to encourage more discussion on policy making, and to increase the level of the Group's political involvement and influence in the future. 

During 2003 - 2004 the Group Co-ordinator also hopes to continue to progress new and existing projects, attract additional members and to develop the opportunities offered by working in partnership with the other NSC Thematic Groups.

The next meeting of the BDG will be during Autumn 2003 (date and venue to be agreed).