FSB establishes North-South scoping study

The Federation of Small Business's (FSB) Regional Chair, Rosemary Armstrong has held a meeting in relation to FSB's cross-border scoping study with Tánaiste Mary Harney.

The study aims to show what groups FSB should be working in closer partnership with in the Republic of Ireland.

Commenting on the study, Mrs Armstrong said: “With all island strategies, including tourism and energy, we recognise the need to work in partnership to develop the Northern Ireland economic potential. We also recognise the importance of a viable transport infrastructure linking Belfast to Dublin economic corridor.

“Very soon, the FSB will be producing its first ever manifesto in Northern Ireland, to set out our stall for the vital policy agenda in the run up to the Assembly Elections. We will ensure that our agenda is on the agenda of the all of the local political parties, when they submit themselves to the people in next year’s election.

“Instead of bringing problems to the discussion table, we are bringing solutions. Indeed, our political leaders should not forget that when the lights of prosperity nearly went out in our society, during some of the worst times of the troubles, it was the small business person, who kept the lights of entrepreneurship and progress, burning bright."

Mrs Armstrong said that over the past number of years the FSB had sought to give leadership to the small business community by developing what she said were "radical policies" on key issues such as the Aggregate Tax, Non-Domestic Rates, Europe, Tourism, Civic Forum and Insurance issues.

She added: “Our vision for Northern Ireland should be of an outward looking and confident society that has something to give to the rest of the UK, Europe and indeed the world.

“Small business has a vital role to play in this by helping to build a new, peaceful and prosperous society, in which our economy can deliver the vital employment needed to make this vision of Northern Ireland a reality."

Mary Harney was welcomed to the meeting by Sir Reg Empey, Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Investment and FSB Policy Vice Chair, Dr John McIlwrath.

(MB)