Invest NI launch entrepreneurship strategy document

Invest NI has launched a new draft strategy document aimed at "creating an innovative, flexible and fully integrated business support structure" in Northern Ireland.

The ‘Accelerating Entrepreneurship’ strategy document aims to transform the province into an “exemplar location for starting and growing a successful business”. The agency plans to do this by doubling the number of foreign companies setting up in Northern Ireland within three years, seeking to promote faster growth among existing companies and aiming for a 50% increase in business start-ups.

Invest NI Chief Executive, Leslie Morrison, and Prof Terri Scott, Managing Director of Entrepreneurship and Enterprise, launched the draft strategy for public consultation today in Belfast with Prof Fabian Monds, Invest NI Chairman.

Commenting on the draft strategy, Mr Morrison said: “Economic growth is driven fundamentally by entrepreneurs, enterprising people who aren’t afraid of failure, and those in existing companies who are committed to innovation and growth.

“This Accelerating Entrepreneurship strategy will engage the community through the consultation process,” added Mr Morrison.

Prof Scott said: “We want more people to be thinking positively about entrepreneurship, taking action to develop their ideas and in time achieving success.”

Welcoming the draft strategy, NIO Minister Ian Pearson added: “Some very exciting and novel ideas are included in this exceptionally important contribution to Northern Ireland’s future economic wellbeing.

"I would urge all those interested in economic development to contribute to the debate.”

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