Northern Ireland ICT Innovation Forum

Media Partnership:

Infrastructure investment:
The story so far

Modern infrastructure is essential to our future success – it supports the economy, helps to promote equality of opportunity for all and improves the public services we all depend on. Despite the challenging economic environment, progress is advancing in delivering infrastructure investment on the island.

Going forward infrastructure investment is facing a number of challenges:

• Tightening public finances on a scale not previously experienced;
• A complex and challenging financing environment;
• Increased emphasis on efficient, lean infrastructure – providing more for less;
• Sharper focus on investment to support economic recovery and growth;

In the south, although the recent budget has reduced the 2010 capital spend by €961 million, the total capital spend will still be significant with €8,113 million allocated for this year. Budget 2010 also recognised the changed procurement environment stating: “The significant drop in construction tender prices means that a very substantial output can be secured from a reduced allocation” (Budget 2010).

In Northern Ireland work is now underway in looking ahead to the next phase of the current Investment Strategy (2011-2014) and beyond in terms of preparation for ‘ISNI 3’ which is due for publication later in 2010.

On the island a number of key projects have either been completed or are well underway.

Who is it for?

• Chief Executives / senior management teams
• Government departments and agencies
• Policy-makers and decision-takers
• Project developers / planners
• Construction contractors
• The local government sector
• Elected representatives
• Procurement professionals
• Health / education / transport / water / waste / housing sectors
• Financial and legal advisors
• Consultants (environmental / technical / project management)
• Economists
• The voluntary / community sector (NGOs)

Sponsorship opportunities

There will be opportunities for networking and business development through the Forum’s seminar programme but for those organisations wishing to raise or enhance their profile within the infrastructure sector, there are opportunities to get further involved with each of the Forum events through sponsorship.

Benefits offered in return for sponsorship support include:

• Opportunity to provide speaker and / or chairperson for sponsored event;
• Organisation’s logo / branding features on conference / seminar brochure;
• Complimentary delegate places at event;
• On-the-day branding opportunities;
• Profile on Forum website.