Northern Ireland companies should study the performance of their overseas competitors if they are to learn and grow, according to Stephen Kingon, the Chairman of the Northern Ireland Centre for Competitiveness.

Mr Kingon, Chairman of the Centre for Competitiveness, was speaking at an award ceremony which recognised the achievements of those in the private, public and voluntary sectors on their 'Journey to Excellence'.

Recognised for previously achieving the top award were: St Mary’s College, BTNI, Nokia, TNT and Lindenhoff Group who have achieved the highest possible award of excellence – The European Award.

Celebrated for previously achieving Step Six were: NIE, Ulster Carpet Mills, BAe, Nortel and Sam Mouldings – all companies who have achieved a Regional National Award.

Speaking at the event hosted at the Ramada Hotel in Belfast on Monday, January 28, Mr Kingon said local businesses had to acknowledge that competitiveness was an international issue and could no longer be confined by regional boundaries.

Mr Kingon said: “If Northern Ireland intends to become internationally competitive, our private, public and voluntary sectors must measure their performance against international benchmarks, not local competitors. These winners have recognised that and have achieved international standards of excellence.

“These are not awards dreamed up in Northern Ireland to deliver a local feel-good factor. When these organisations began their journey along these seven stages of excellence, they knew they were competing against standards that are globally respected and internationally accepted.

“The fact that we are celebrating so much success in that process tonight is a remarkable and welcome reflection of what the private, voluntary and public sectors, can achieve.”

Congratulating the winners, Bruce Robinson, Permanent Secretary of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment said: “Improving competitiveness is a key priority for Northern Ireland’s economy and this event is evidence that the quest for continuous improvement is becoming part of our business culture.

“DETI is firmly committed to enhancing the competitiveness of Northern Ireland companies and promotes Business Excellence within companies by offering a range of assessment and improvement facilitation programmes."

Mr Robinson urged any company, which was "seriously committed to ongoing improvement", to consider participating in the process. (AMcE)