03/06/2009

First Minister Holds Planning Talks With Local Realtors

Representatives of the University of Ulster's Real Estate Initiative (UUREI) have met with First Minister Peter Robinson to discuss the planning system.

The Titanic Quarter event was hosted by Professor Mike Smith, Chief Executive Officer Titanic Quarter Ltd, UUREI Founding Board Member and Visiting Professor at Ulster.

The meeting was used as a platform for the First Minister to hear issues of importance to the REI Founding Board and those relating to the wider economy, an REI spokesperson said.

After the presentation, given by Professor Alastair Adair, there was a discussion session which focused on the planning system in Northern Ireland and the necessary reforms required to create the conditions for sustainable economic growth and attract what limited international investment is currently available.

Also under discussion were the areas of valuation practice in a property market downturn and the constraints on bank lending; and the resultant frustration in market momentum in spite of the relative improvements in affordability.

Other areas of interest included the reinstatement of an IPD commercial property market index for Northern Ireland.

Contributors said this was considered essential to demonstrate the competitive advantage of Northern Ireland in terms of rental and property costs - particularly in the current economic conditions in which companies are trying to reduce their overheads.

(PR/JM)

Related Northern Ireland Business News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

08 March 2002
Education has crucial role in securing robust economy
Sir Reg Empey, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment has said that the crucial role to be played by the education sector in securing a robust economy for Northern Ireland cannot be overemphasised.
12 October 2001
INI board sets course to promote local economy
Nine strategic principles will underpin the work of Invest Northern Ireland (INI) in promoting economic growth and employment when it comes into operation, Professor Fabian Monds, INI Chairman, has said.
10 November 2004
Creativity gives economy competitive edge
Creativity gives economy competitive edgeCreative industries make a significant contribution to the Northern Ireland economy, providing 9,000 jobs and generating £900 million each year, Culture, Arts and Leisure Minister, Angela Smith, said today.
10 April 2002
SME sector is “backbone of Northern Ireland economy”
Small and medium sized businesses are the single greatest source of job creation in Northern Ireland the Stormont Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment has said. Speaking in Downpatrick on Wednesday April 10, Sir Reg Empey told a business conference that SME’s are the backbone of the Northern Ireland economy.
13 September 2001
Confidence in the Northern Ireland economy at all time low
A Business Confidence Survey published by CBI Northern Ireland has revealed that confidence in the Northern Ireland economy has fallen to its lowest level since the Survey was started in 1986.