07/11/2002

NI business leaders want UK to join Euro

A BBC Northern Ireland commissioned Business Day Poll has revealed that six out of ten Northern Ireland business leaders would support the UK joining the Euro.

The specially commissioned BBC poll carried out by business advisors PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) surveyed over 500 Northern Ireland CEOs and leading business executives and included questions on business attitudes to the Euro.

Over half of the CEOs interviewed said that the UK joining the Euro would be beneficial for their business. In the West and North West of Northern Ireland, almost seven out of ten CEOs supported the UK joining the Euro.

Commenting on the figures, James Kerr, BBC Northern Ireland Business Editor said: "The poll demonstrated business leaders' belief that the Euro would benefit the Northern Ireland economy. The Republic of Ireland is already a member of the Eurozone and is Northern Ireland's single largest export market outside the UK. That, combined with Northern Ireland's land border with the Republic, may have persuaded business leaders that the Euro is right for business."

The Euro questions were one of many included in the poll. The survey also polled business leaders on the effects of the suspension of the Assembly on business confidence, the role of education in the economy and the economic benefits of closer ties with the Republic.

The results of the entire survey will feature in the news and features throughout BBC Business Day on BBC Northern Ireland television and radio today.

(MB)

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