EMPEY OUTLINES PRINCIPLES AT HEART OF INI

CREATIVITY and innovation must be the guiding principles of Northern Ireland’s future economic policy and central to the work of Invest Northern Ireland (INI), the new economic development agency, Sir Reg Empey, has said.

The Minister outlined his vision for the new Agency, which will launch next Spring, at the formal launch of ‘Unlocking Creativity - Making It Happen’. He explained why creativity and innovation would be key to developing the Northern Ireland economy.

He said: “Invest Northern Ireland is a testimony to Government's imaginative, forward-thinking approach to industrial development and how we support industry.

“INI must set itself the highest standards and become an exemplar of creativity and new technology applications - particularly in the delivery of its services.

“The importance of innovation to our prosperity is now well accepted and understood, and much work has gone into raising its profile. It is therefore vital that this progress is not lost and that innovation is integrated into the structures and ethos of the new Agency.

“Creativity and innovation are the building blocks of our future economic success. Our goal must be for Government, Northern Ireland business and academia to work together in new and imaginative ways, exploiting the skills, talent and vision of all our people.”

Other speakers at the event included Ministerial colleagues from the Departments of Education, Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment and Culture Arts and Leisure at the event which was held at W5, The Odyssey, Belfast. (MB)