HAMPSHIRE businesses are being encouraged to improve their communication.

The Hampshire Economic Partnership wants to see industry, business and commerce at all levels improve its communications.

Chairman Jennifer Miller said: "It is vital at all levels to help create a sustainable, vibrant economy.''

She added that everyone from individuals in a company, to corporate interests, governmental and across cultures must be involved.

"The world has changed since the appalling events of September 11,'' she told a conference at IBM headquarters at Portsmouth.

"All of us feel the effect in some way both at a personal level and in our business activities. In business terms, today's difficult trading environment makes effective communication all the more important and, in the case of the Hampshire Economic Partnership, this means ensuring that the voice of employers in Hampshire and its cities is heard in government.

"I urge many more business to think about getting involved in dialogue with government, whether this be through the active support of HEP or by direct influence at a local and regional level. Communication between business and government has improved, but there is still more to be done.''

The Hampshire Economic Partnership brings together business people, local and central government and business organisations and is chaired by Mrs Miller, the CBI's former director for the south.