29/06/2001

ASSEMBLY HAS MAJOR INFLUENCE ON INVESTMENT

COLLAPSE of the assembly could adversely effect business investment in Northern Ireland, business advisors, warn PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).

The results of their latest survey suggest that devolved government had been good for business in Northern Ireland. However, many companies said that the existence of the Assembly had made no difference to their performance whatsoever.

Out of the 263 businesses that took part in the survey, around 70 per cent said that the Assembly would deliver direct benefits to their business prospects over the next five years.

However, business leaders’ reaction to the possible failure of devolved government was almost unanimous. Nine out of ten companies said they would cut proposed investment in Northern Ireland if the Assembly was suspended or collapsed.

PwC interviewed 263 of Northern Ireland’s leading businesses as part of their annual Northern Ireland Economic Review and Prospects.

The Review, to be published next week, contains several special features. These include an assessment of the impact of the Assembly on the business community one year on.

(MB)

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