Durkan encourages partnership for success

Deputy First Minister, Mark Durkan, has called for greater innovation and entrepreneurship in Northern Ireland to accelerate economic growth.

Speaking at the opening of The Data Warehousing Practice's new premises in the University of Ulster's Science Research Park in Derry, which has created 30 new jobs, Mr Durkan said: "To improve our economic performance we need to stimulate innovation and nurture a culture of enterprise. We must encourage closer partnerships between government, businesses, councils and our schools and colleges to achieve this. The growth of alliances like this university and company based centres at Magee will be instrumental in helping us to build a globally competitive economy.

"I am pleased that the North West is fast establishing a reputation for its R& D strengths and the quality of its graduates which is helping to attract high tech companies and jobs. The 30 new jobs created by The Data Warehousing Practice are an important and welcome boost to the local economy.

The Deputy First Minister said the Executive recognised that competitive small businesses had a vital contribution to make to Northern Ireland's economic future: "There is a need to encourage their development by providing appropriate support to them to flourish and grow. Invest NI is committed to establishing a fresh approach to economic development with a new style of product delivery, innovative programmes and financial instruments."

The new 4000 sq ft premises will provide the European headquarters for this growing technology company. As a strong exporter, the Data Warehousing Practice has grown from a staff team of three to the current level of thirty employees.

The Deputy First Minister congratulated the company on their excellent growth and export success. He said: "The establishment of another technology company within this successful business park will bring benefits and act as a wealth-generator for the North-West and Northern Ireland as a whole.

"I want to encourage the entrepreneurial spirit demonstrated by this company and encourage others to use the enterprise route to success. Companies such as this provide an excellent example of how to compete effectively in world markets as we work with our SME sector to stimulate even greater export growth."

Established in 1998, the Data Warehousing Practice provides data warehousing and web integration solutions to customers in various sectors.

(SP)