The DTI’S Business Plan 2005-2008, ‘Our route to prosperity for all’, mapped out a new vision for the Department to become a higher performing department that is smaller and more flexible, ‘a department that knows when to help markets and when to let business lead’.

In line with that agenda, in April 2005, the Regional Development Agencies took on responsibility for delivery of business support for small businesses and, in particular, management of the business link network. At the same time, Business Link will take on a new role, so that, instead of delivering advice, it will act as a broker to the full range of services for business provided by the public and private sectors.

‘Many of the Departments activities, notably in regard to innovation and enterprise, support our commitment to strengthening regional economies’ - (DTI Business Plan 2005-2008)

DTI BUSINESS PLAN OBJECTIVE 6 – ‘Encourage enterprise business growth and investment;’ PSA Target 6 - ‘Build an enterprise society in which small firms of all kinds thrive and achieve their potential with an increase in the number of people considering going into business, an improvement in the overall productivity of small firms, and more enterprise in disadvantaged communities’.

Effective communications is a major priority for the success of these plans; this event serves to bring together key figures from within the DTI, Regional Development Agencies Intermediaries, Academic Institutions and Business Link/Support Networks. It will provide them with a platform to engage in discussions regarding their current and future plans, encouraging new collaborative ways of working together towards a shared goal.