Committee Event Focuses on Boosting Economy

14 Apr 2015 01:33 PM

The Assembly Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment hosted an event in Parliament Buildings today (14 April), as part of its Inquiry into Growing the Economy and Creating Jobs in a Reduced Tax Environment.

The event focused on issues such as skills and education; government support; and the transport infrastructure, identified as areas of concern by respondents to the Committee’s survey conducted earlier this year.

Committee Chairperson, Patsy McGlone MLA said, “With plans for Corporation Tax to be devolved in 2017, it is important that the Committee identifies and highlights issues faced by businesses across Northern Ireland. The event gave the Committee the opportunity to meet with business leaders and key stakeholders to discuss areas of concern, as well as potential solutions.  Businesses of all sizes, in all sectors need to be encouraged to grow as we prepare for a new era of low corporation tax.”

The Chairperson concluded: “Important issues raised during the event will help the Committee form recommendations in its Inquiry report which will be forwarded to the Executive for consideration. It is essential that we work to resolve areas of concern, as well as develop an integrated approach to developing the economy so that Northern Ireland can welcome businesses and compete to become one of the most high-tech, skills-centred and well-connected regions in Western Europe.”

Guests at the event included leading players in the various business sectors of Northern Ireland such as ASDA and BT as well as industry representative bodies including the Federation of Small Businesses, Tourism NI and Manufacturing NI.