Convergence commentary
The latest articles on the Convergence programme showing the integration of activity, lessons learnt and good practice available here...
No light at the end of the tunnel? So light it yourself... West Briton,
An Australian saying reads, “If you can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel, get down there and light it yourself”.
In the current storms of global downturn, credit crunch, disillusionment with our banks, uncertainty as the national election looms ever closer and promises of severe public sector cuts and increasing taxation, where can we find our light?
History shows that businesses that continue to invest in their innovative capabilities during tough economic times are those that do best when growth returns. And in a challenging economic climate, focus is crucial.
Our focus is clear. Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly is continuing its generational journey in the regeneration and re-creation of our economy. An economy which has in the past few years stemmed its decades of spiralling decline.
Economic figures show that our rate of growth has outstripped the rest of the country, second only to that of Inner London. A major catalyst for this is the investments of the European Objective One and Convergence programmes and the kaleidoscope of partnerships that deliver these.
We now have a new set of economic assets; the Combined Universities in Cornwall and its novel routes of knowledge transfer to local businesses and the creation of new markets. This includes the Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry, which hosts groundbreaking research in diabetes and skin cancer, and the Unlocking Cornish Potential graduates from all over the UK and those returning home, who are placed with businesses to create a vibrant stream of profitable opportunities.
This is a continuing journey that will see the collective benefits of our investments in wave energy and supporting research initiatives; new innovation centres; 21st Century digital infrastructure and the development of new types of business and export markets. All this will be rooted in our environment, heritage, art and culture to give us a unique offer which can only be “of Cornwall”. And woven throughout will be innovative design, quality of service, sustainable construction and greener ways of working and managing our resources.
As we leave the unprecedented storms of the last 18 months and face the unknowns of 2010 we shall take strength in knowing that our economy is more robust than it has been in the last four decades and that we are collectively investing in our future.
And when it comes to our future there is no time like the present.
