Rural Business Fillip Welcomed

There has been a broad welcome for a range of business support seminars that are being made available in two suburban areas of NI.

Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster said that the help they are providing to local businesses at this challenging time is very important.

The Minister was speaking this morning at a business information seminar in Cookstown.

It was part of a series facilitated by Invest Northern Ireland, in collaboration with NI Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise NI and local councils across Northern Ireland.

This event was open to the wider business community, beyond Invest NI client companies, and offered advice and support to help in the current economic recession.

"Northern Ireland businesses need all of the help and advice available as they continue to make hard choices to remain profitable and competitive in the current economic climate," she said.

"I am determined to do everything I can to support companies and provide them with the most effective, efficient and timely support to ensure their ability to continue to trade is not jeopardised."

Delegates in Cookstown learned about the practical help available to them in such areas as marketing, cost reduction, cash flow management, energy efficiency, securing extra sales and product and service development.

Independent one-to-one business advice was also on offer.

The Minister later addressed delegates at a Craigavon Borough Council business seminar in Lough Neagh Discovery Centre.

Arlene Foster said: "Business support seminars are invaluable in today's recessionary climate, as they offer practical advice on what businesses can do on a day-to-day basis, to help them continue to trade.

"While such short-term help is very important, we must also keep the medium-to-longer term priorities in mind. Businesses must remain flexible and resilient in the face of such adverse economic conditions.

"Improvements in competitiveness and quality, combined with the opportunities offered by the sterling exchange rate, can also help companies beat the worst effects of the global slowdown," she continued.

"As Enterprise Minister, I am committed to doing whatever I can to help ease the current economic pressures.

"I want to ensure that our local businesses are able to come out of this recession stronger and in pole position for when the global and national economies begin to rebound."

(BMcC/JM)