Local Businesses Encouraged To Accelerate Their Growth

Minister for Employment and Learning, Dr Stephen Farry, has participated in the 'Growing Something Brilliant' Conference in Titanic Belfast.

The purpose of the event, organised by the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and aimed at exporters in Northern Ireland, is to inspire more businesses to accelerate their growth.

'Growing Something Brilliant', a new Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce campaign aimed at encouraging local businesses to set up, grow and export, was launched on Friday 10 May 2013 at Ballymena's Galgorm Manor Hotel.

Speaking at the event, Minister Farry confirmed his support for the campaign: "I want to endorse and support the NI Chamber of Commerce's 'Growing Something Brilliant' campaign designed to showcase the great businesses that we have in Northern Ireland and highlight how we in government can help."

Reminding those attending the event of the work being taken forward to support Northern Ireland business in relation to skills, the Minister said: "The Northern Ireland Economic Strategy identifies skills as a crucial ingredient in both rebalancing and rebuilding our economy. Skills are widely accepted as the key raw material in the modern knowledge-based economy and are one of the main drivers in how we achieve our economic goals.

"Skills help economies make the most of new opportunities in high value-added activities, they encourage greater investment and innovation, they help businesses compete in export markets, and ultimately they support economic growth and enhance productivity.

"In order to maximise the opportunities that are available, it is of vital importance that we improve the current and future skills base of our economy. The skills base is crucial to boosting productivity, employment and our international competitiveness and it is imperative that businesses invest in the skills of their employees."

(CD/JP)