28/07/2003

Minister praises SIB role

Economy Minister Ian Pearson has praised the role the Strategic Investment Board (SIB) has played in taking forward priority projects such as the new Invest NI headquarters in Belfast.

The SIB was established in February to work with government departments to take forward projects involving the private sector that were identified as strategic priorities by the executive.

Among its projects, including the establishment of the new headquarters for Invest NI, is a £100 million package of road improvements to upgrade the Westlink and the M1 approaching Belfast as well as a PPP deal for the whole of Belfast Education & Library Board, the first tranche of which is an £80 million bundle of six new schools.

The Minister said: "The introduction of the SIB has signified a step change in the timeframes involved in progressing projects of this nature. I am confident that the SIB, with the continued co-operation of departments, can continue to drive forward our plans for improvements right across the range of projects that were identified in my budget announcement in February."

(MB)

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