WSBC General Manager, Michael Sugg, was invited and attended yesterday's 2014 Business Leadership Forum to represent WSBC members, the SME businesses of Western Sydney.
The 2014 Business Leadership Forum was held at State Parliament on Thursday 9 October 2014. The event brought together a highly influential group of more than 120 representatives from a broad range of priority sectors, Government, higher education and research organisations, industry associations, multinationals, start-ups and innovative thinkers to strengthen Government-industry relationships.
The annual forum is an important part of the NSW Government’s engagement with industry and a platform to inform business leaders on the Government’s economic development efforts and identify and discuss business and industry priorities for the year ahead.
A new report from the NSW Government shows the NSW economy is strengthening its position in key sectors including manufacturing, creative industries and the digital economy.
Mr Stoner said the State Government’s revitalised partnership with industry and the research sector has been essential in building a platform for economic growth in NSW.
“NSW is now clearly emerging as the engine room of Australia’s economic future,” Mr Stoner said.
“We’re seeing growth in household demand, improving business confidence, and NSW leading the nation on key economic measures including State Final Demand and jobs growth, with above-trend growth forecast for 2014/15 and 2015/16.
“Government and industry are working together to lay the foundations for long-term growth in NSW, investing in our State’s diversity, bolstering priority industry sectors and supporting the key drivers of growth, including housing, jobs and infrastructure.”
The 2014 Progress Report on the NSW Economic Development Framework shows significant progress has been made against 34 priority actions, with more than half of these developed, or implemented in partnership with, industry and research stakeholders.
Highlights include:
· the establishment of five NSW Knowledge Hubs - for Digital Creative, Financial Services, Medical Technology, Energy Innovation, and Transport, Logistics and Rail;
· increased support for International Education through StudyNSW and appointment of a high level advisory board to position NSW in key global markets as a leader in international education;
· support for SMEs with actions including design-led innovation workshops, a Supply Chain Accelerator pilot to integrate local SMEs into major domestic and global supply chain opportunities, an Export Accelerator program to help exporters win more international business, and the ongoing delivery of services from SmallBiz Connect;
· the creation of Smart Work Hubs in Oran Park, Rouse Hill, Penrith, Gosford and Wyong, to offer alternative, innovative work options for those in high commuter areas; and
· significantly enhanced international engagement, including new NSW trade and investment specialists in Japan and Korea.
WSBC will keep you up to date with any further developments and also the NSW government's economic development strategy for Western Sydney as details become available.
