Economic Development Group

Minutes and action points

Present

2.  Welcome

Members of the Business Development Group were welcomed by acting Chair Alan Russell (Fife Council).  He thanked James Knowles (Aberdeenshire Council) for providing a programme of speakers on Thursday afternoon, his assistance with the meeting arrangements and hospitality.  AR then outlined the role, agenda and aims of the meeting.

3.  Apologies

Apologies were received from

Cllr Anne McGovern (Chair), Fife Council, Scotland
Thore Westermoen (Vice Chair), Vest-Agder County Council, Norway
Ulla Christensen, County of North Jutland, Denmark
Jon Halvard Eide, NSC Transport & Communication Group Co-ordinator
Enok Hansen, Aust-Agder County Council
Lars Hustveit, Sogn og Fjordane Council
Henrik Jensen, Viborg Amt (NSC Secretariat)
Jorg Wilke, Wirtschaftsforder Ung Wesermarsch GMB

4.  Agreement of Minutes.  The minutes were agreed for the last meeting of the BDG at the Helnan Phonix Hotel, Aalborg, North Jutland, Friday 23 August 2002.

5.  Matters arising. None.

6.  Networking. A short introduction was given by each member of the Group.

7.  North Sea Commission - The BDG Co-ordinator gave the Group a short update on NSC activities and timescales for project funding (from a note prepared by the North Sea Commission Secretariat). 

General Assembly :  The next NSC General Assembly will be held on 18-20 June 2003 in Cuxhaven, Germany.  The title for the event is "North Sea Region: Common strategies for a sustainable economic development".

Interreg IIIB :  The Steering Committee met on 25-26 November in Viborg.  Out of the 21 projects which were up for consideration, 14 were approved and a total of 33 million euros was granted in funding.  37% of the total funding available, therefore, has now been used, leaving around 83 million euros for future bids.  The next deadline for applications is the 3 March 2003.  The second deadline next year will probably be at the end of September. 

Interreg IIIC : The next call for proposals under Interreg IIIC is open until 10 January 2003.  The following call will be sometime over the summer.  Further details can be obtained from the website www.interreg3c.net

Secretariat : The NSC Secretariat will be meeting with the Thematic Group Co-ordinators in Cuxhaven on 11-12 December to arrange Study Tours for the General Assembly.  The next meeting of the Executive Committee will be in Middelburg (Zeeland) on 20-21 March 2003.

8.  Proposed Interreg IIIB Project on Rural Development in the North Sea Area.  James Knowles (Aberdeenshire Council) outlined the work he had recently undertaken to co-ordinate Scottish involvement in a large new Interreg IIIB funding application.  The application will be based on the subject of Rural Development in the North Sea area, and will have will have three key themes :  Social Services/Healthcare, Public Transport and Economic Development.  The lead partner is Viborg Amt in Denmark.  JK reported that although he could see the potential for local projects (especially in the topic of market towns), unfortunately, due to work commitments and the tight timescales he was no longer able to lead on this project in Scotland.   Henrik Brask Pedersen (Viborg Amt) will get an update from Henrik Jensen on the project.

Action :
Henrik Brask Pedersen (Viborg Amt) will get an update from Henrik Jensen on the progress of the Rural Development project.

9.  The CPMR CAP Reform and Rural Development Group (Inter Commission Group). 
James Knowles (Aberdeenshire Council) reported that he attends this Group on behalf of the North Sea Commission.  This Group has met twice and its next meeting will be in Brussels in December. 

The main issue for this Group is the future of farm subsidies when the CAP is reviewed at the end of the structural fund period.  This could have serious implications for farmers in the North Sea area.  The Group agreed that it is important to have some form of transitional phase to help farmers adjust to the changes in funding.  JK highlighted the need for the NSC to have a view on the CAP reform to take to future meetings.

Action:
James Knowles to ask Aberdeenshire Council leader for guidance on a possible NSC statement.

10.  Transportation and Communication Group - Proposed Joint Project. 
The BDG Co-ordinator reported that, following the recent survey of BDG members, it is intended that a joint project will be developed with the Transportation and Communication Group.  The BDG Co-ordinator attended a recent meeting of the Transportation and Communication Group in Heide, Germany.  It was agreed that possible themes for joint projects include ICT, ports and shipping and transport links between peripheral areas.  It is recognised that Regional airports are also important to a number of Group members. 

The Group discussed the need to share information on maritime shipping projects in the North Sea.  It was agreed that a short questionnaire should be circulated to Group members and the results listed on the NSC website.

The Group agreed to arrange a joint meeting with the Transportation and Communication Group.  The theme should be ports and shipping opportunities in the North Sea area.

A joint conference or seminar should also be organised with the Transportation and Communication Group for 2003 on the theme of Broadband and ICT issues and opportunities.

The Group agreed that Transportation and Communication Group should be made aware of the interest in Regional airports.  The Transportation and Communication Group should be asked if they could include BDG members in any future discussions on this subject.

Action :
BDG Co-ordinator to draft and circulate a questionnaire on existing commercial maritime projects in the North Sea area.

BDG Co-ordinator to advise T&C Group Co-ordinator of the proposed joint meeting to be held in March 2003.

BDG Co-ordinator to advise T&C Group Co-ordinator of the interest in a joint conference/seminar on the theme of Broadband and ICT.

BDG Co-ordinator to advise T&C Group Co-ordinator of potential interest in Regional Airport projects.

11.  Fisheries Group - Joint Project Proposal. 
The BDG Co-ordinator raised the subject of the proposed joint project between members of the BDG, the NSC Fisheries Group and the NSC Education & Research Group.  It has been proposed that the theme should be the changing role of women in traditional fishing and farming communities. 

The Group also discussed the issues facing men in these areas, the problems of reskilling and the need to tackle redundancies when there has been no transition period for adjustment.

The BDG Co-ordinator will investigate the proposed scope of this project and report back to the Group.

Action:
BDG Co-ordinator to liaise with Co-ordinator of the Fisheries group on the scope and development of this project.

12.  Wind Energy Conference, Belgium. 
The BDG Co-ordinator updated Group members on the success of the recent Wind Energy Conference organised by the NSC Environment Group.  This included a brief summary of the findings from the workshops on "Wind Energy as part of Regional Development - the business opportunities and employment aspects".  She highlighted the economic development potential offered by the growing Renewable Energy sector and discussed how this sector could be encouraged within the North Sea area.   The conclusions of this conference will be available on the NSC website. 

The discussion was followed by a special presentation by Daniel Dobson-Mouawad (Suffolk County Council) on the work of the East of England Energy Group (EEEGR).

13.  The East of England Energy Group (EEEGR)
Daniel Dobson-Mouawad (Suffolk County Council) circulated a briefing note and gave a talk on the work of the EEEGR.  He highlighted the definitions used, the European context, the targets for this sector and the massive growth potential for the renewables sector. 

He then highlighted how this sector has been developed in the East of England and the establishment of the EEEGR.  This successful regional organisation has been created to enable energy related companies to work together and stimulate business growth in this sector.

Merete Gammelmark (Ringkjobing County) informed the Group of the expertise that has been developed in Denmark on wind energy and the other renewable energy sectors.

The Group discussed the existing research expertise, the business and employment opportunities offered by the renewables sector and the potential for the diversification of traditional skills in the oil and gas sectors in the North Sea area.

It was agreed that this is a topic for future development and that a project subgroup should be established.

Action :
BDG Co-ordinator to circulate questionnaire to establish interested members, feedback on existing activities in this sector and establish a specialist subgroup.

14.  Update on Business Development Group projects :

Bridge-IT North Sea E-Business Project.  Eddie Craig (Napier University) outlined the aims, partners, timescales, process, key services, deliverables, financing and funding for this project.  He advised that this project will be resubmitted for Interreg IIIB funding in March 2003.  There are a large number of projects competing for the remaining funds, although it is believed that this project will be a strong candidate.  If successful in securing funding the project will begin in June 2003 and be completed in June 2006.

North Sea Exchange Protocol Project.  Thrond Kjellevold (Telemark County Council) highlighted the need for everyone to provide information on five local companies to help develop this database.  Eddie Craig (Napier University) thought it may be possible to develop links with existing databases.  

Ann Brown (Co-ordinator NSC Education & Research Group) circulated a paper updating the group on the NSEP project application.  She outlined the changes that had been made and the proposals to submit the application in time for the March deadline.

Action :
Eddie Craig (Napier University) to investigate the possibility of linking with existing business databases. 

15.  Business Development Group future development and new projects.  

Aberdeenshire Satellite Office Project - James Knowles (Aberdeenshire Council) outlined the aims, progress and development of this project.  The Group discussed the potential of using this type of business accommodation, and existing formal links within the North Sea area, to develop a support network that would help visiting SMEs.  Eddie Craig (Napier University) highlighted the opportunity of including these business spaces within the E Commerce Interreg IIIB project.  Alan Russell (Fife Council) would also like to investigate the potential of using office space to assist visiting SMEs within member areas and to link with the previous "Business Gardens" project if possible.

Action:
Alan Russell (Fife Council) to prepare a short paper on the potential of offering office space to visiting SMEs trading within the North Sea area.

BDG Co-ordinator to ask members for information about existing formal trade links and then circulate this information.

Fife Farmers Conference, March 2003.  The BDG Co-ordinator gave a short outline about this event.  Information will be circulated to members nearer the date of the event.

Action:
BDG Co-ordinator to circulate information about the Farmers Conference.

16.  NSC General Assembly 2003. 
The BDG Co-ordinator gave a short update on next year's General Assembly in Cuxhaven (Germany) on 18th - 20th June.  She highlighted that the BDG Study Tour will be limited to 27 people.  A small plane will be used for the Group to visit an aqua-culture business in Buesum and a wind turbine manufacturer in Husum.  Members of the Group asked if it would be possible for an additional plane to be provided if demand is over 27 places.

Action :
BDG Co-ordinator to investigate alternative Study Tour options for members attending the 2003 General Assembly.

17.  Any other business

Projects
Thrond Kjellevold (Telemark County Council) updated the Group on a variety of Interreg projects - Euromountains.net, Water City International and the Inland Waterways network.

Eddie Craig (Napier University) outlined a new ERDF funded project being undertaken in Fife to find placements for graduates.  With alternative funding sources there may be an opportunity to make this an international project.

Daniel Dobson-Mouawad (Suffolk County Council) outlined some pilot projects being undertaken on introducing new technology and assisting business survival in rural areas.   (This could be incorporated into the proposed joint conference next year).

Political activity
The Group then discussed the need to raise the profile and increase the political activity of the BDG.  The Group requested that there should be one, themed, political forum per year.  The Group asked if it would be possible to incorporate a political debate about business development issues and opportunities within the General Assembly - perhaps linked to our existing contacts in Wilhelmshaven.

Sharing information
James Knowles (Aberdeenshire Council) requested that information/minutes from the other Thematic Groups should be circulated for information and to identify future topics of joint interest.  Group members also asked if more information could be circulated about the work of the other Commissions for comparison.

Action:
BDG Co-ordinator to investigate the possibility of a political meeting on the topic of business development being held in Wilhelmshaven.

BDG Co-ordinator to establish most efficient way of circulating information about the activity of the other thematic Groups and the work of comparative Commissions.

18.  Date and venue of next meeting
The next meeting of the Business Development Group will be in March 2003 on the Hurtigruten in Norway.  Members of the NSC Transportation and Communication Group will be invited to this meeting.  The theme will be port development and shipping opportunities in the North Sea area. 

Action:
The BDG Co-ordinator will confirm the dates and liaise with the Co-ordinator of the Transportation and Communication Group. 

Gert Rietman to investigate exact costs of the Hurtigruten as a venue and the possibility of any financial support for this event.