The Growth Agreement

More jobs and increased welfare in Västerbotten. These are the objectives of the Regional Growth Agreement that will apply for the period 2000-2002. The agreement is also intended to contribute to improving equality between the sexes and achieving sustainable development in the region.

This folder provides a brief presentation of the concrete measures that are to be implemented. The full agreement can be obtained from the County Administration for Västerbotten.

The growth agreement has been prepared by a broad partnership composed of representatives from business and commerce, the municipalities in the region, the county council, the universities, employer organisations, unions, regional organisations and national government regional offices. Approximately 200 people have participated in each of the partnership meetings. The County Administration has been responsible for co-ordinating the work.

Aims
The aims of the growth agreement are that:

• Västerbotten will have at least the same level of economic development as other comparable regions in Sweden and Europe so that full employment can be attained.
• Growth will contribute to achieving balance within the region through the establishment of more firms and the expansion of existing ones. Businesses will have a high level of competence with well-qualified and skilled workers. They will also have well-developed production methods with new technical solutions for the efficient production of goods and services.
• Business products and services will obtain a broader international market. Firms will develop their business activities, products, environment and management systems.
• Business will be developed in a creative cultural environment with a good level of services. It is intended that the efforts put into achieving development will lead to a sustainable ecological society and to equality between the sexes.

Content of the Programme
The following pages provide a short description of the concrete measures that are included in the programme. The name of the co-ordinator responsible for co-ordinating and following up the particular measure is given, as well as the name of the contact person if more information is required.

The programme is composed of five investment/ achievement areas and associated measures. Together these are intended to produce the desired effects as set out in the aims.

SEK 925 million are to be spent in 2000
The costs for the measures included in the growth agreement are estimated to be about SEK 925 million. Finance will mainly come from the public purse (national government, the municipalities, the county council, Umeå University, ALMI (Regional Development Fund), Teknikbrostiftelsen (the Foundation for Technology Transfer), EU funds plus a number of private financiers.

It is expected that the EU, through Objective 1 funding, will contribute SEK 156 million towards the financing of the growth agreement.

Applications for funding
Applications for financial assistance can be made directly to the organisation responsible for funding the particular measure. The co-ordinators can provide information on which organisations are involved in funding the different measures.

AREA OF INVESTMENT
Education and competence and research and development (R&D) The universities within the region, Umeå University, the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and the filial of Luleå University of Technology in Skellefteå, give Västerbotten a comparative advantage in terms of education.

The resource these provide in terms of education and research must be seen as one of the region’s most important growth factors. Research will be located in the different parts of the region.


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Read the complete agreement (in Swedish only)
The complete agreement can be ordered from the Västerbotten County Administration, SE 901 86 Umeå; Sweden.