Minister says 'partnership' is key to business success

The development of strategic relationships is vital to the success of business and industry on both sides of the border, Economy Minister, Ian Pearson has said.

The Minister made his remarks in a speech at the IBEC/CBI Joint Business Council dinner at Queen’s University last night, attended by 100 members of the business community and guests from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Mr Pearson said: “Through a partnership approach, IBEC and CBI have played an important role in the development of North/South relations. Both organisations recognise that only modern government, using modern approaches, can address the needs of business and industry and have a significant role to play in helping to set the economic agenda for the future.”

The Minister added: “Government is committed to re-invest and reform. In the economic sphere we want to ensure that our businesses have the right infrastructure, and the right cost base, so they can compete globally. Their competitive position is key to Northern Ireland’s future, and it is essential that our policies are focused on securing a competitive economy.”

Mr Pearson went on to say that reform and modernisation are at the heart of the government’s policy on the delivery of public services.

On the issue of industrial derating, he said: “I want to emphasise that we do not intend to make sudden or dramatic changes. In partnership with business representatives, we will want to look carefully at the timing and phasing of change and at how we can provide targeted assistance to vulnerable businesses or sectors affected by the removal of derating.”

The Minister recognised points made by the CBI about the overall cost of doing business in Northern Ireland and said that he wanted to work with business and industry to address this problem.

He added: “I have therefore asked officials to commission an independent study of the costs of operating business in Northern Ireland. Terms of reference are being drawn up and these will be discussed in detail with business representatives before they are finalised.”

In his concluding remarks the Minister paid tribute to the joint Business Council’s achievements, particularly in the areas of co-operation and liaison where the professional and pragmatic approach have produced results.

(MB)