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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)
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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.
28 November 2013
Claims Of Neglect Made Against Carrickfergus Care Home
Staff at a Carrickfergus nursing home did not inform the relatives of an elderly resident that she had died. According to a report by the BBC, Elizabeth Calvert claims that in April 2011 Cherry Tree House telephoned her to say her mother Olive was unwell.
Claims Of Neglect Made Against Carrickfergus Care Home
Staff at a Carrickfergus nursing home did not inform the relatives of an elderly resident that she had died. According to a report by the BBC, Elizabeth Calvert claims that in April 2011 Cherry Tree House telephoned her to say her mother Olive was unwell.
28 June 2013
70-Year-Old Convicted Over Firearms 'Factory'
A 70-year-old man has been sentenced to six and a half years after he was convicted for firearms and explosives offences. Thomas Maguire, of Suffolk Drive, west Belfast, was arrested in August 2011 following a high speed car chase with police.
70-Year-Old Convicted Over Firearms 'Factory'
A 70-year-old man has been sentenced to six and a half years after he was convicted for firearms and explosives offences. Thomas Maguire, of Suffolk Drive, west Belfast, was arrested in August 2011 following a high speed car chase with police.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
