Enterprise and innovation, tourism, rural development and primary industries, public sector reform

Our key priority is to create a modern economy driven by business and targeted on higher value added and innovative products and services. We will invest in shaping a competitive private sector economy supported by efficient public services.

•  By providing financial support we can assist our indigenous businesses to make further investments - increasing innovation, R&D and capability development - and also encourage new Foreign Direct Investment by overseas-owned companies.

•  Tourism has become one of our most important growth areas and with continued support for Signature projects and other tourism schemes we can continue to improve the offering, attract more visitors and benefit from the major events and occasions that will be taking place.

•  Investment support can help to diversify the rural economy and so protect the rural environment and its communities by modernising the agricultural sector as a whole. Our rural areas offer real opportunities in terms of potential for growth in the provision of rural recreation and tourism, their attractiveness as places to invest, live and work, and their role as a reservoir of natural resources and highly valued landscapes.

•  In an era of tighter public funds it is important that there is a focus on the efficient delivery of public services. Thorough analysis of how customers access and require services will allow investment to take place that is better aligned thereby releasing efficiencies.