Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail any steps her Department is taking to support small and medium-sized businesses.
Minister for the Economy: My Department is taking forward a range of measures to support SMEs, recognising their vital role in driving productivity, innovation and employment. Support is also available from InterTradeIreland and Invest NI in areas such as innovation, mentoring, export growth and financial support. Councils also provide support through their Go Succeed service which provides support to start or grow a business.
The Finance Minister recently made the legislation to extend the current Small Business Rate Relief Scheme for the forthcoming rating year.
The scheme which costs around £22 million provides support to almost 30,000 businesses with discounts of between 50% and 20%. This extension provides vital continuity for thousands of entrepreneurs and SMEs across the North.
ENDS
Your MLA 