Government seeks partnership with regional business leaders
Monday, 2 September 2011
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional and Rural Development Peter Ryan has announced a plan to actively engage regional business leaders on new and innovative ideas to create jobs in regional and rural Victoria.
Speaking in state Parliament this week, Mr Ryan said the Dialogue with Regional Industry project would provide a platform for a two-way exchange of ideas designed to facilitate greater business investment and growth in the regions.
"Through this project I want to identify opportunities and constraints and explore how industry and government can best work together," Mr Ryan said.
"I am writing to the 50 largest private employers in regional Victoria inviting them to participate in this important initiative. Our aim is to encourage a genuine working relationship between government and industry to create jobs in country Victoria."
Mr Ryan said he held particular concerns around the agriculture and food processing sectors which had been put under significant strain by both national and international market pressures in recent times.
Mr Ryan said the Dialogue with Regional Industry project would work alongside other important Government initiatives to support growth and jobs creation in regional and rural Victoria.
