The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, Patricia Hewitt, has visited Northern Ireland to carry out a number of business engagements in west and east Belfast.

Ms Hewitt’s first stop was at FG Wilson (Engineering) Ltd in west Belfast which provides employment for 2300 people across the north. After a tour of the premises, the secretary of state discussed a range of issues including the company’s export success and employment growth.

Ms Hewitt then left for nearby Springvale Training where she heard from people involved in ‘Impact Training’ and the ‘Springvale Educational Village’ project.

At the Springvale Training centre, Northern Ireland's Minister for Employment and Learning, Carmel Hanna, said: “Working alongside Impact Training in the Shankill area, it fulfils a vital role in meeting the skills and needs of business and industry while supporting potential inward investment to the west Belfast area through its customised training projects."

Later Ms Hewitt met Sir Reg Empey to discuss telecoms and energy issues, before lunching with both ministers and representatives from the trade union movement, the business community, universities and the community and voluntary sector.

After the visit, Ms Hewitt said: “A devolved administration, with locally elected representatives, is best placed to know the needs of people and communities.

"This opportunity to meet with ministers Empey and Hanna to see areas of mutual interest has given me the opportunity to learn about the steps the Northern Ireland Executive is taking to develop the Northern Ireland economy."

(GMcG)