Minister Neubaur: With the right strategic priorities, we support the regions in their individual strengths
Promoting growth and regional balance, stimulating innovation, and successfully implementing the climate-neutral transformation of the regions: Regional policy in North Rhine-Westphalia has set ambitious goals. How this can succeed was discussed by Economics and Climate Protection Minister Mona Neubaur together with Prof. Dr. Michael Hüther (IW Cologne), Wuppertal’s Mayor Prof. Dr. Uwe Schneidewind, Prof. Dr. Jens Südekum from Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, and many other experts from science and practice at the specialist conference “Regional Political Renewal in NRW” in Düsseldorf.
Economics Minister Mona Neubaur: “Regional policy is experiencing a renaissance. We support the regions in their forward-looking transformation! To ensure that all regions of the state—from the Lower Rhine to Siegerland and from Aachen to Ostwestfalen-Lippe—benefit, we set the right strategic priorities and support the regions in their regional strengths and needs with a variety of state, federal, and EU programs. Better coordination between regional funding and regional planning, clear priorities in funding programs, and closer regional cooperation can make an important contribution.”
IW Director Prof. Dr. Michael Hüther: “Regional diversity and balance are strengths of the German economic model and guarantees of broad prosperity in our country. However diverse the regions are, so too are their problems and challenges. Smart regional policy can help manage current economic upheavals. For this, a clear strategy—and targeted investments—are needed.”
Prof. Dr. Jens Südekum: “Regional policy used to focus mainly on creating jobs in economically weak regions. Today, the scope is broader: it is about ensuring that transformation succeeds everywhere, combining climate protection with more added value and rising prosperity. For this, regional policy requires new instruments and more flexible approaches—exactly what is being discussed by experts and practitioners at the conference.”
Around 180 experts from regional science, regional development, economic promotion, chambers, unions, associations, politics, and administration exchanged ideas on strategic guidelines at the conference. The insights will contribute to sharpening regional policy in North Rhine-Westphalia and moving closer to an integrated system of regional development.
Press contact: Evelyn.Binder@mwike.nrw.de, 0211 – 61772 615
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