South East England Development Agency (SEEDA)

Business and Government Join Forces to Boost South East Competitiveness

22 June 2004

Challenging more than 100 key leaders from business, education and local and central government, the Rt Hon Andrew Smith, MP for Oxford East and Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, outlined the key factors industry must embrace to enable the South East to continue to be a competitive and prosperous region.

Chairing a 'Question Time' style debate at the inaugural South East Conference 2004, jointly organised by SEEDA and the Regional Assembly, the Minister identified issues that need attention to ensure that the region remains the economic engine of the UK. They include affordable housing, e-commerce and infrastructure, lack of basic skills and literacy, the need to enhance productivity, develop business driven skills and encourage innovation.

The conference brought together speakers including the Chair of the South East England Regional Assembly, Cllr Nick Skellett, and Chief Executive Paul Bevan, as well as the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) Chairman Jim Brathwaite CBE, and Chief Executive Pam Alexander. Also joining the debate were Richard McCarthy, Director General of Sustainable Communities, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, and Rolande Anderson, Deputy Director General Innovation Group, the Department for Trade and Industry.

If you would like further information or make
a comment about the event please email seeda@seeda.co.uk

• View the South East Conference's presentation here
  (Microsoft PowerPoint Presentation as web page 3Kb)
• View Andrew Smith's Keynote Speech here
  (Microsoft Word document 64Kb)