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14/10/2002
Outgoing Trade Minister urges business to remain optimistic
Outgoing Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Sir Reg Empey has urged local business to remain optimistic despite suspension of the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Commenting today, following the Secretary of State’s announcement, Sir Reg urged the business community to build on the momentum gathered in the past three years and "to continue to work in anticipation of an upturn in global business confidence and the return of Devolution".
He added: “Over the past three years I have worked hard to help position Northern Ireland as a modern economy where businesses have the confidence in and support of a pro-business government.
“Work will continue with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment on the development of new policies in a number of key areas, including, a business birth rate strategy, a venture capital strategy and the development of a sectoral strategy.
“My Department and its Agencies all have new Corporate Plan's in place and they will move forward to meet the challenging targets that have been set.
“I believe the partnership approach between government and business works and I urge the business community to keep in close contact with the Department and its Agencies. This is particularly important during a period when we will not have locally accountable Ministers.”
Meanwhile, the Federation of Small Business has said that it was unfortunate that the Assembly had been suspended today.
Wilfred Mitchell, NI Policy Chairman for the FSB, said: “We worked extremely closely with all of the parties in the Assembly, who without exception took time and effort to support our policy agenda. However, while the Assembly has been suspended, our policy agenda on behalf of small business has not."
Mr Mitchell confirmed that the FSB would seek to work closely with the newly appointed Government ministers, who will carry on the work started by Sir Reg Empey since 1998, until there is a return to self-government.
Rosemary Armstrong, Regional Chair of the FSB in Northern Ireland paid tribute to the minister and the assembly’s DETI Committee for all of their "championing of small businesses during devolution".
(MB)
Commenting today, following the Secretary of State’s announcement, Sir Reg urged the business community to build on the momentum gathered in the past three years and "to continue to work in anticipation of an upturn in global business confidence and the return of Devolution".
He added: “Over the past three years I have worked hard to help position Northern Ireland as a modern economy where businesses have the confidence in and support of a pro-business government.
“Work will continue with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment on the development of new policies in a number of key areas, including, a business birth rate strategy, a venture capital strategy and the development of a sectoral strategy.
“My Department and its Agencies all have new Corporate Plan's in place and they will move forward to meet the challenging targets that have been set.
“I believe the partnership approach between government and business works and I urge the business community to keep in close contact with the Department and its Agencies. This is particularly important during a period when we will not have locally accountable Ministers.”
Meanwhile, the Federation of Small Business has said that it was unfortunate that the Assembly had been suspended today.
Wilfred Mitchell, NI Policy Chairman for the FSB, said: “We worked extremely closely with all of the parties in the Assembly, who without exception took time and effort to support our policy agenda. However, while the Assembly has been suspended, our policy agenda on behalf of small business has not."
Mr Mitchell confirmed that the FSB would seek to work closely with the newly appointed Government ministers, who will carry on the work started by Sir Reg Empey since 1998, until there is a return to self-government.
Rosemary Armstrong, Regional Chair of the FSB in Northern Ireland paid tribute to the minister and the assembly’s DETI Committee for all of their "championing of small businesses during devolution".
(MB)
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
