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23/09/2004
Businesses must focus on innovation, says Minister
Enterprise Minister Barry Gardiner has called on businesses to focus more on innovation in order to achieve faster economic growth.
During a visit to Newtownards yesterday, Mr Gardiner met with Mayor of Ards, Councillor Hamilton Gregory, and Council representatives to discuss local economic development opportunities.
The Minister said: "Ards Borough has several companies that are already competing successfully in global markets, and has also seen the number of new business starts rise from 32 in 2001, to 146 in the past year.
"My department and Invest NI are working to create a support infrastructure through which these achievements can be built upon. We have ensured that businesses in Ards have widespread access to broadband technology – a key tool in ensuring competitiveness in today’s global marketplace."
The Minister later visited Sepha Ltd, which develops and markets equipment for customers in the international pharmaceuticals industry, in 84 countries.
Speaking at Sepha, Mr Gardiner said: "This is a good example of a smaller Northern Ireland company that is achieving success within a fast moving global industry through a dedication to new product development for customers in a niche market.
"Sepha’s success is based on comprehensive market knowledge that enables it to develop new products and provide innovative and effective solutions in its target markets.
"The work that it is carrying out with Invest NI, to pinpoint new business opportunities and product development, will help to ensure the company’s growth in sales and profitability," he added.
(MB)
During a visit to Newtownards yesterday, Mr Gardiner met with Mayor of Ards, Councillor Hamilton Gregory, and Council representatives to discuss local economic development opportunities.
The Minister said: "Ards Borough has several companies that are already competing successfully in global markets, and has also seen the number of new business starts rise from 32 in 2001, to 146 in the past year.
"My department and Invest NI are working to create a support infrastructure through which these achievements can be built upon. We have ensured that businesses in Ards have widespread access to broadband technology – a key tool in ensuring competitiveness in today’s global marketplace."
The Minister later visited Sepha Ltd, which develops and markets equipment for customers in the international pharmaceuticals industry, in 84 countries.
Speaking at Sepha, Mr Gardiner said: "This is a good example of a smaller Northern Ireland company that is achieving success within a fast moving global industry through a dedication to new product development for customers in a niche market.
"Sepha’s success is based on comprehensive market knowledge that enables it to develop new products and provide innovative and effective solutions in its target markets.
"The work that it is carrying out with Invest NI, to pinpoint new business opportunities and product development, will help to ensure the company’s growth in sales and profitability," he added.
(MB)
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'Onus On Minister' For Housing Pledges
An SDLP assemblyman has called on the Finance Minister to increase the housing budget in order to meet housing need and help secure maintenance contracts. Thomas Burns, the SDLP's housing spokesman, (pictured) said Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie does not have the power to increase her own allocation.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
