The first Energy and Environmental Management Conference and Exhibition to be held in Belfast has been broadly welcomed by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment Sir Reg Empey.

The three-day event, which took place at the Kings Hall Belfast, ran from November 13-15 and was attended by over 100 companies from the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland.

Speaking at the conference Sir Reg said: “On a world scale, the environmental management industry has the potential to be as significant as the pharmaceuticals industry.

“In Northern Ireland business has been quick to respond and now plays a leading role in the greening and growing of the local economy by focusing on becoming more efficient, using new raw materials more wisely and reducing waste. But the real contribution will depend on availability to come up with sustainable new products, which will last longer.

“It has been estimated that the annual global market for environmental and low carbon technologies and services will rise to over £400 billion by the year 2010. If Northern Ireland companies can capture a share of this market, it will provide a significant boost for the local economy.”

The Minister said: “In addition, it is estimated that the Northern Ireland Waste Management Strategy, which facilitates businesses to move away from reliance on landfill methods for waste disposal, also encourages growth in the waste recycling and recovery market - a market which has the potential to create up to 1,500 jobs locally over the next ten years.”

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment incorporates the Industrial Research and Technology Unit, an agency with responsibility for promoting sustainable development and environmental management to the business community to enable it to improve its competitiveness while reducing its environmental impact. (AMcE)