Empey launches business start up campaign

The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment has called bright people with business ideas to re-establish the entrepreneurial spirit that the Northern Ireland economy needs.

The Minister, Sir Reg Empey, has announced the details of a Northern Ireland Business Start Up Programme being backed by a television advertising campaign, which began on Monday, November 19.

Sir Reg said: “The new Business Start Up Programme has an ambitious, but achievable target, of seeing 6,000 new small business start-ups over the next four years, at the rate of 1,500 per annum. This is a 25 per cent increase on last year’s figures. I believe that this target is an absolute essential requirement if the enterprise culture, which does exist in Northern Ireland, is to realise its potential.

“The Programme has been restructured to achieve a greater consistency of quality in small business support across the whole of Northern Ireland. It is a joint initiative involving LEDU and Northern Ireland’s 26 Local Councils. Both central government and local government have a strong common interest in economic development at regional and local level. I am convinced that this partnership and the support it brings on the ground will encourage individuals to take the enterprise risk and exploit the opportunities that exist.”

The Northern Ireland Business Start Programme involves £7.8 million expenditure by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment with further contributions coming from Northern Ireland’s 26 Local Councils (£2.1 million) and from the European Union Regional Development Fund (£2.1 million). Delivered locally at Council level the programme will be directed centrally through the resources of Enterprise Northern Ireland.

In upbeat mood Sir Reg said that Northern Ireland was entering an “exciting new phase of entrepreneurial development.”

Sir Reg added: “Key to this strategy will be how to engage individuals who need encouragement and support to make the leap of faith that starting a business requires. Northern Ireland has a wealth of talent - talent that could create wealth for the local economy.”

Support available to individuals interested in setting up their own business available through the Business Start Up Programme includes training and various forms of financial support appropriate to the needs of the proposed business. (SP)