Jobs Welcomed By MLA

Good news on jobs in two very different technologies has been welcomed.

Robin Newton, the East Belfast DUP MLA said that financial services company Fortis - in partnership with supermarket chain, Tesco - will be recruiting 1,500 jobs some of which will be located in their Belfast offices.

He has also hailed the announcement by Harland & Wolff that it has signed a £10m contract to construct 30 huge wind turbines as great progress, especially so with recent job losses at the Hughes Christensen factory, also in east Belfast.

The MLA said that Fortis is already a major investor in Northern Ireland and the potential jobs spin off from this new business partnership presents us with an opportunity to push for further investment.

"Fortis is a global player with Headquarters in New York and this exciting expansion plan is another piece of welcome news for the Northern Ireland economy.

"The innovative partnership with supermarket giant Tesco is stimulating and will give encouragement to local business organisations as they face up to these difficult trading times," he said.

Speaking over the weekend he greeted the news of a fresh contract for former shipbuilder, Harland and Wolff and its employees: "So often we appreciate the 'headline' value of such announcements, without realising positive value underlying in the supply chain and the resulting net benefit from those in skilful employment.

"In these difficult times, it is particularly good news to secure jobs in the manufacturing sector.

"It is vital that we retain this base through the current hardship and this example demonstrates how those businesses with the capacity to seek new markets, whilst retaining its skills base, will benefit greatly.

"The new 'global green industry' is much talked about, but it is announcements such as this which translates the potential into tangible business potential and should act as a catalyst for other companies."

(BMcC/GK)