The East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and eight other Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) have today welcomed the new industrial policy - outlined by Government on a visit to the region - about how the country can beat the recession and secure its economic future in a rapidly changing and highly competitive global economy.

The Prime Minister, Business Secretary Peter Mandelson and Innovation and Skills Secretary John Denham met with businesses and key partners at Loughborough University where they unveiled this new approach and published their "Building Britain's Future - New Industry, New Jobs" paper. 

RDAs are identified within the document as having a pivotal role in helping to shape Government's strategy to invest in Britain's economic and industrial future.  This is designed to give the UK well grounded, sustainable, competitive advantages as the global economy recovers and for the future.  It also aims to further develop the partnerships between business, government and wider society in order for companies to survive and thrive.

Jeff Moore, Chief Executive of East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and the lead RDA on matters relating to the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR), commented:  "Today's announcement is a real vote of confidence in the ability of the RDAs to deliver this national strategy at a regional and local level.  RDAs are already supporting the sectors identified by Government and we look forward to building on this investment, alongside all our partners, to ensure the UK economy recovers quickly from the recession and is globally competitive in future."