Investment Key To Addressing Regional Imbalance

New investment and positive momentum are key to addressing regional imbalance in Northern Ireland, Finance Minister, Dr Caoimhe Archibald, has said.

The Minister commitment to working toward finding "regional balance" across NI during a visit to the north west.

During the visit to Derry and Strabane, she met with members of the Derry Chamber of Commerce, visited the Bytes Project which uses technology to work with young people from areas of high deprivation and met with representatives from Derry City and Strabane District Council working on the City Deal and the Strabane Regeneration programme.

Dr Archibald said: "I was pleased to meet with members of the Derry Chamber, businesses and industry are at the heart of the region providing jobs and boosting the local economy. The current positive momentum being created by the City Deal and wider investment in the north west will further benefit the region. "It is our young people who will ultimately gain from this investment, and we must ensure every young person has access to the opportunities available. The Bytes project has a long association with the PEACE Programme, and I was pleased to see the impact that this funding continues to provide. The project is an excellent example of an organisation working with young people and using technology to break down barriers.

The Minister added: "Regenerating Strabane is an excellent example of addressing regional imbalance. There has been tremendous progress made by the Derry City and Strabane District Council and its Delivery Partners on the City Deal. It has been a truly collaborative effort and an example of partnership between local and central Government.

"I look forward to signing the Deal in September and getting another step closer to realising the benefits of the many transformational projects for the north west."