A new Regional Economic Strategy is set to be launched for the Mid South West to boost the region's economic output by improving infrastructure, boosting the skills base, encouraging innovation and developing tourism.

This strategy will focus on increasing productivity and creating more and better paid jobs in the Mid South West Region in a unique collaboration between Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, Fermanagh & Omagh District Council and Mid Ulster District Council.

-- Advertisement --

It will be supported with £126 million of Growth Deal funding pledged by the UK government.

Chair of the Mid South West Steering Group, Councillor Cathal Mallaghan said: "This announcement marks the next step in the Mid South West's journey to economic prosperity. It, along with other funding streams, will play a central role in closing the productivity gap between this region and others here, and in doing so will boost prosperity for all.

"We have carried out extensive analysis into the Mid South West economy to explore where funding such as this can best be used to enable industry to thrive. We are looking forward to revealing our Regional Economic Strategy later this month and are committed to investing the Growth Deal funding as effectively as possible. In addition, we look forward to securing match funding from the Executive."

(CM/MH)