This morning (Tuesday 29 June) the Business Partnership Alliance (BPA) for the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon borough launched their recovery manifesto. Five Steps Towards The Future -reflects the commitment of the BPA to working in partnership with the local business community to overcome and adapt to the new, post-Covid economic landscape.
The BPA represents business in rural and urban locations across the borough, and this manifesto will aid their primary objective of establishing productive working relationships with businesses and business leaders, across key sectors along with their associated support bodies.
The action plan within the manifesto identifies activities and supports required to rebuild, restart and reenergise businesses in the wake of Covid. It is also about encouraging growth, and the plan supports long term sustainability and resilience. This includes ensuring the skills and resources required are in place to secure the business future of a wide range of sectors, and that there is commensurate support for, and acknowledgment of the significant contribution of almost four billion pounds per annum that ABC makes to Northern Ireland’s economy.
Speaking at the digital launch this morning Lord Mayor Alderman Glenn Barr said:
‘Over recent months Council has been working hard with key partners to help and support our Borough. We are here to help our businesses through this difficult time, and are firmly committed to each and every one of our citizens and to building a bright future for them. The work of the BPA in pulling this excellent manifesto together is a clear demonstration of the positive impact when people come together in a collective effort to heal and recover. We look forward to supporting them as they deliver on this ambitious plan.’
Though many business issues are relevant at a national and global level, Five Steps Towards The Future focuses on those with particular relevance to the ABC borough and positioning businesses for a positive future with long-term, medium-term and short-term goals categorised under five themes:
- Recovery – an immediate response to Covid and the challenges Brexit has presented
- Growing Support – ensuring the longevity of the BPA, increasing membership and
securing additional resources (sponsorship and in-kind support) from industry partners. - Realising Potential – working with partners in education to prepare a workforce with the appropriate knowledge and skills for the future, encouraging collaboration, knowledge sharing and innovation across the borough.
- Future proofing – working with businesses to improve digital fluency and acumen increasing their competitiveness and improving efficiency
- Connections – addressing the need for better connections, and improvements in physical infrastructure, roads, rail and air to help businesses maximise opportunities within and beyond the borough.
BPA Chair, Adrian Farrell said:
‘One of the objectives of this Recovery Manifesto was to identify key issues we could proactively engage with politicians at local and regional level on. By establishing a set of clear asks on behalf of the business community we can proactively address issues affecting members and lobby to ensure they are considered in the decision-making process at local and national government level.’
As the largest Council area in Northern Ireland outside of Belfast, the ABC borough is home to several significant businesses across a variety of sectors including Agri Food, Pharmaceuticals, Manufacturing and Retail, and the BPA will work hard through this manifesto to support all business sectors across the borough at this critical time for the economy.
Five Steps Towards The Future is available in digital format by emailing
