Global challenges demand local changes says Minister

Sir Reg Empey, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment has said that ongoing changes within his Department are aimed at increasing the competitiveness of Northern Ireland business in the global market place.

The Minister made the statement as he hosted a reception for the Masters in Business Administration Association of Ireland (MBAAI) in Parliament Buildings.

Sir Reg said: “My Department is interested in developing a more creative approach to industrial development. This month the draft corporate plans for DETI, and also for the new economic development agency, Invest Northern Ireland, were published.

"Both plans are out for consultation and I hope will form part of a lively debate amongst all stakeholders on how we can meet the current economic challenges facing Northern Ireland.”

Commenting further on Invest NI, the Minister said: “Invest Northern Ireland, which will come into being in April, will build on the success of Northern Ireland’s present economic development agencies. It will combine the best qualities of the public and private sector.

“A keynote feature of the new agency during its first three years will be a focus on innovation and entrepreneurship. A truly innovative economy will raise incomes and lead to quality jobs.”

The Minister said the establishment of Invest NI meant that there would be a clear distinction between policy development and service delivery while the DETI’s work would focus on developing new research and would involve key stakeholders in the development of new thinking in relation to economic policy.

The Masters in Business Administration Association of Ireland (MBAAI), which was founded in 1967 as a representative group for graduates holding the degree of Masters in Business Administration, currently has in excess of 1,000 members.

(MB)