Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail any steps her Department is taking to help businesses in Mid Ulster to (i) increase exports; (ii) improve productivity; and (iii) create more skilled jobs.
Minister for the Economy: My department and Invest NI are committed to supporting regional economic balance across the North, including Mid Ulster. Regional balance, good jobs and higher productivity are key priorities in my Sub-Regional Economic Plan.
Invest NI’s Our Future in Focus 2024-27 strategy aligns with my economic vision and targets 65% of supported investments outside the Belfast Metropolitan Area (BMA) by year three, benefiting districts such as Mid Ulster.
Through Invest NI, my department supports Mid Ulster businesses with advice, guidance, grants and access to finance.
Invest NI provides targeted support for investment projects that align with its priorities, helping businesses to:
start or grow exports, explore international markets, attend trade missions and make use of dual market access;
invest in digitalisation, innovation and R&D, and protect intellectual property;
improve management capability, workforce skills and productivity, and create jobs; and
strengthen operational excellence, supply chain management and property solutions.
Invest NI’s Access to Finance offer provides debt and equity support to help businesses of all sizes grow.
Invest NI also supports innovation through its Innovation Voucher and Business Innovation Grant schemes, helping SMEs develop products, services and processes that drive growth, exports and skilled jobs.
Expert advice is also available to help businesses improve efficiency, manage waste, cut energy costs and boost productivity while supporting a greener economy.
Invest NI also maintains nibusinessinfo.co.uk, a key source of guidance on exporting, entering new markets, skills development, leadership and productivity.
Partnerships with local stakeholders also help Mid Ulster businesses tackle barriers to growth. Through the Mid Ulster Local Economic Partnership, my department has allocated £3.867m over three years to March 2028 to support actions to improve productivity, raise wages and grow internationally tradeable businesses.
Invest NI has also worked with Mid Ulster District Council on supply chain, training needs and dual market access events, helping businesses improve efficiency, plan skills development and benefit from Northern Ireland’s trading position.
ENDS
Your MLA 