The Manufacturing Strategy is the Government’s response to the challenges faced by manufacturers. It is being developed in partnership with industry and key stakeholders, on a sectoral and regional basis. The goal is to reduce the productivity gap, to assist companies to become more knowledge-intensive and to develop high-skilled manufacturing processes. They want to avoid manipulating exchange rates, which would risk economic stability, or imposing export or other restrictions that would weaken the competitive markets. Instead, they want to promote investment, skills, innovation and best practice. 

Additionally, the government has to ensure the right business environment by delivering macro-economic stability, a modern infrastructure and the right market frameworks. These are the seven pillars of the government’s approach. Each pillar sets out goals, policies and roles, with future prospects in the sector and milestones.

A review of the strategy two years on, including the seven pillars, is available on the DTI’s Manufacturing Strategy website.

Source: DTI website (Manufacturing) 2004