(1 year, 3 months ago)
Written StatementsRead Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
The Secretary of State for Business and Trade (Kemi Badenoch)
Yesterday I launched the Northern Ireland Investment Summit (NIIS) in Belfast, which I am hosting today in partnership with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland ( Chris Heaton-Harris). The event will be a key moment in the 25th anniversary years of the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement. This is an opportunity to look to the future, and consider how we can build on the remarkable progress Northern Ireland has made this past quarter century. Northern Ireland is an integral, uniquely positioned part of the UK and is an ideal location for companies to grow. Its combination of a highly educated workforce, competitive operating costs and unique market access make it a compelling proposition for both domestic and international investment. The summit will set out how the UK Government intend to strengthen the UK’s already competitive business environment and ensure it remains one of the most attractive destinations for international investment.
The summit, jointly hosted with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, and delivered in partnership with Invest Northern Ireland, will bring together over 150 investors from the United States, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and India, to discover the opportunities available to businesses in Northern Ireland. This event will be an opportunity to promote what Northern Ireland does best, with breakouts covering some of Northern Ireland’s key sectors including technology, financial and professional services, life and health sciences, green economy, advanced manufacturing and engineering, creative industries and capital investment opportunities.
It will also mark a key moment to encourage investment into Northern Ireland—the Windsor framework has further enhanced the attractiveness and competitiveness of Northern Ireland as an investment location for businesses seeking market access to the UK and the EU single market for goods. The summit will showcase its strengths across all parts of Northern Ireland to build a sustainable and inclusive economy that will benefit everyone.
The Department for Business and Trade is committed to championing investment across the UK, and this event is yet another example of this Government’s commitment to growing the UK economy—as laid out in the Prime Minister’s key priorities for 2023.
[HCWS1020]