Menu
18/04/2012
Exports Are Vital To Economic Success
Local businesses which focus on exports can continue to grow in the current economic climate, so says NI Enterprise Minister.
Minister Arlene Foster was speaking in Mumbai, where she is participating in an Invest Northern Ireland 24 company-strong trade mission.
She claims that companies need to look further afield for opportunities and that is why growing exports is a key priority.
Although output from the Northern Ireland Production sector fell by 0.3% from Q3 2011 to Q4 2011, it increased by 5.3% in 2011 compared to 2010. The UK decreased by 1.3% over the quarter. Output from the Northern Ireland Index of Services for the fourth quarter of 2011 showed that output levels rose by 0.7% over the quarter compared with no change in the UK.
Commenting on the figures, Minister Foster said: "The Northern Ireland unemployment rate has remained unchanged from the last quarter. Our current unemployment rate of 6.8% compares favourably to the equivalent rates for the UK (8.3%), European Union (10.1%) and Republic of Ireland (14.8%).
"Production sector output in Northern Ireland fell by 0.3% over the quarter, though this was smaller than the decline of 1.3% for the UK. It is noteworthy though that output in this key sector increased by 5.3% in 2011, compared to 2010, which is an encouraging sign. The Service sector gains in the last quarter of 2011, are also a positive indicator, though demand in 2011 as a whole was lower in the sector than in the previous year.
"Businesses that can compete successfully on the world stage can contribute immensely to the local economy, and Invest Northern Ireland are helping companies to focus on the markets that offer greatest potential."
(LB)
Minister Arlene Foster was speaking in Mumbai, where she is participating in an Invest Northern Ireland 24 company-strong trade mission.
She claims that companies need to look further afield for opportunities and that is why growing exports is a key priority.
Although output from the Northern Ireland Production sector fell by 0.3% from Q3 2011 to Q4 2011, it increased by 5.3% in 2011 compared to 2010. The UK decreased by 1.3% over the quarter. Output from the Northern Ireland Index of Services for the fourth quarter of 2011 showed that output levels rose by 0.7% over the quarter compared with no change in the UK.
Commenting on the figures, Minister Foster said: "The Northern Ireland unemployment rate has remained unchanged from the last quarter. Our current unemployment rate of 6.8% compares favourably to the equivalent rates for the UK (8.3%), European Union (10.1%) and Republic of Ireland (14.8%).
"Production sector output in Northern Ireland fell by 0.3% over the quarter, though this was smaller than the decline of 1.3% for the UK. It is noteworthy though that output in this key sector increased by 5.3% in 2011, compared to 2010, which is an encouraging sign. The Service sector gains in the last quarter of 2011, are also a positive indicator, though demand in 2011 as a whole was lower in the sector than in the previous year.
"Businesses that can compete successfully on the world stage can contribute immensely to the local economy, and Invest Northern Ireland are helping companies to focus on the markets that offer greatest potential."
(LB)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
29 May 2012
Access To Republic Of Ireland Digital TV Channels Confirmed For Northern Ireland
TV viewers in Northern Ireland will be able to watch TG4 and RTÉ One and Two on Freeview following digital TV switchover, the UK Government confirmed today.
Access To Republic Of Ireland Digital TV Channels Confirmed For Northern Ireland
TV viewers in Northern Ireland will be able to watch TG4 and RTÉ One and Two on Freeview following digital TV switchover, the UK Government confirmed today.
13 March 2012
Call Made To Reduce Diabetes Amputations
A new campaign hopes to reduce diabetes related amputations in Northern Ireland by 50% in the next five years it has been revealed. The Putting Feet First campaign, launched today, urges diabetes suffers to get their feet checked regularly by health professionals.
Call Made To Reduce Diabetes Amputations
A new campaign hopes to reduce diabetes related amputations in Northern Ireland by 50% in the next five years it has been revealed. The Putting Feet First campaign, launched today, urges diabetes suffers to get their feet checked regularly by health professionals.
17 August 2011
Still More Signing On Dole In NI
Unemployment remains on an upward trend, according to new statistics just issued. The figures released today for the period April - June 2011 show that the Northern Ireland unemployment rate increased over the quarter to 7.3%.
Still More Signing On Dole In NI
Unemployment remains on an upward trend, according to new statistics just issued. The figures released today for the period April - June 2011 show that the Northern Ireland unemployment rate increased over the quarter to 7.3%.
15 June 2011
NI's Dole Queue Figure Rises
There has been a rise in the number of people claiming unemployment benefit in NI, but some statistics are confusing. The Labour Force Survey shows the jobless figure fell over the past three months, while another figure, based on the number of people actually signing on the dole, shows another 400 joined the dole queue in May.
NI's Dole Queue Figure Rises
There has been a rise in the number of people claiming unemployment benefit in NI, but some statistics are confusing. The Labour Force Survey shows the jobless figure fell over the past three months, while another figure, based on the number of people actually signing on the dole, shows another 400 joined the dole queue in May.
13 June 2005
The 2005 Birthday Honours List for Northern Ireland
The full list of recipients of honours in the 2005 Birthday Honours list for Northern Ireland is as follows: Knighthood: Mr Hugh Orde OBE, Chief Constable, Police Service of Northern Ireland - for services to Northern Ireland. CBE: Mr Robert David Stewart Campbell, Belfast - For Political and public service.
The 2005 Birthday Honours List for Northern Ireland
The full list of recipients of honours in the 2005 Birthday Honours list for Northern Ireland is as follows: Knighthood: Mr Hugh Orde OBE, Chief Constable, Police Service of Northern Ireland - for services to Northern Ireland. CBE: Mr Robert David Stewart Campbell, Belfast - For Political and public service.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
