31/07/2013

Minister Praises NI's Security Sector

Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has told an audience of senior police, fire and prison officers from around the world that Northern Ireland's security sector is second to none.

The Minister was speaking at a reception organised by Invest Northern Ireland in advance of the World Fire and Police Games Global Leadership Conference, which opens today in Belfast.

The aim of the reception was to highlight the expertise that resides in the local security sector and profile the companies and organisations that work within it.

At the reception Arlene Foster also launched a booklet entitled 'Security Specialists', which features the products and services of 60 local companies.

Arlene Foster said: "Local businesses and organisations are delivering a range of high quality security services around the world – from consultancy, intelligence gathering and training, through to forensic toxicology.

"Several have developed cutting-edge products that are relied upon to assist and safeguard police and fire fighters working in dangerous and hostile environments worldwide. These range from innovative biometric identity management solutions, best-in-class air defence systems, sophisticated geospatial data services, to hi-tech blast-proof glass and walls, and high performance protective clothing.

"Our security sector has particular strengths, in that it has been shaped by Northern Ireland's experiences of providing police, prison and fire fighting services within a conflict and post conflict society. Out of that challenging history has come innovation and expertise that has been transformed into valuable resources that are now deployed around the world."

(CD/MH)

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