Scheme to start 6,000 new businesses is on course

A business start-up programme, which is set to create over 6,000 new businesses by 2005, is on target, according to Prof Terri Scott – Invest NI’s Managing Director of Entrepreneurship and Enterprise.

Prof Scott made her comments at the ‘Celebrating Success’ ceremony at the Tower Hotel in Londonderry today. Local representatives and business leaders were on hand to mark the 2,000th company to receive backing through the Northern Ireland Building Sustainable Prosperity (NIBSP) programme.

It is anticipated that NIBSP will generate around £600 million and 9,000 new jobs for the local economy by April 2005. The programme represents a total investment of £45 million – including £12 million from Invest NI, the province's 26 district councils and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Prof Scott said: “The NIBSP is a hugely successful programme that is helping to shape a new generation of entrepreneurs who will help drive the local economy forward and, in turn, stimulate a stronger entrepreneurial culture at community level.

“This flagship programme offers a fully integrated and co-ordinated approach by Invest NI and the district councils in providing relevant start-up assistance to individuals wishing either to set up a small company or become self-employed."

He added: “By celebrating success we hope to stimulate many more people throughout Northern Ireland to explore the opportunity that this programme provides to turn a business idea into a viable enterprise.”

Ann McGregor, Chief Executive of Enterprise NI, said that there was a growing interest in business start-up throughout Northern Ireland.

“It is also an indication of the high quality of the programme’s services, which are underpinned by a strong customer focus that ensures participants gain practical knowledge and experience,” she added.

The 2,000th participant in the Business Start Programme was Ingrid Perry of Annalong, Co Down, who began her photography business last October.

(GMcG)