Investment in economic and social infrastructure is the top priority under the Plan with around 21 billion provided for this purpose. This investment will ensure that the infra structural bottlenecks and impediments to sustainable economic development which have emerged as a result of the rapid economic progress of recent years will be addressed over the period of the Plan. The Government is fully committed to ensuring that its proposals for economic infrastructure in the Plan are implemented within the Plan period. In addition to the usual arrangements for ongoing monitoring of progress, the Cabinet Committee on infrastructural development, including Public Private Partnership, established in mid 1999 will monitor and oversee at a high level the delivery of the key infrastructure projects. The strategy underpinning the Plan in relation to employment and human resources development is to address the emerging skills shortages in the labour force and to promote social inclusion.
Competitiveness is also a key concern.
At the enterprise level, the development of skills helps to improve productivity, which in turn leads to enhanced cost competitiveness and thereby to stability of employment. The availability of a skilled work-force is a key determinant in the attraction of investment inflows. There are both challenges and risks ahead, not least on the pay and competitiveness front. It is vital that we understand the factors which have contributed to our present economic success in order to assess objectively our future prospects and to take whatever action is necessary to maintain our performance. In conclusion, we must address the challenges ahead in order to maintain our impressive employment performance and improve standards of living for all.