Minister discusses concerns with business umbrella group

Sir Reg Empey, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, has met members of the NI Business Alliance, an umbrella group for the main business bodies in Northern Ireland, to discuss a range of issues that have been of concern to members recently.

Items on the agenda included energy prices and workforce related issues, such as the levels of skilled people available to NI industry.

Welcoming the meeting Sir Reg said the feedback from such meetings reinforced his view that "the development of the Northern Ireland economy can only come about by working hand-in-hand with all sectors of industry".

In addressing one of the Business Alliance’s key concerns - the high cost of energy in Northern Ireland – Sir Reg said the reduction of energy costs was an issue in which his Department had invested a lot of time and effort.

He added: “The recent announcement that NIE and OFREG have reached agreement on the price control of NIE’s Transmission and Distribution business, together with the potential long–term benefits to be derived from the opening of the electricity market, commissioning of the Moyle Interconnector, new CCGTs at Ballylumford and Coolkeeragh and the major project to extend the gas industry outside Greater Belfast, are a good start.

“However, I am currently considering possible options to further reduce electricity prices with a view to announcing an action plan after the Assembly's summer recess.”

On the issue of skilled workers, Sir Reg stressed that both DETI and Invest Northern Ireland were committed to working alongside the Department for Employment and Learning to enhance the skills of employees in Northern Ireland companies.

Emphasising that a skilled workforce was essential for companies to compete effectively in the international marketplace, he acknowledged Invest NI’s contribution in this area.

As well as responding to the Business Alliance’s concerns, the Minister also took the opportunity to bring the group up-to-date with progress on some of DETI’s other work.

This included Sir Reg driving home the message that poor health and safety management in Northern Ireland was costing the economy between £210m and £500m per year as a result of workplace injuries, illnesses and non-injury accidents.

(MB)