Northern Ireland
Assembly
12 March 2010
SO09/09/10
PRESS RELEASE
NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY BUSINESS TRUST PUTS ECONOMY CENTRE STAGE
Finding ways to promote the Northern Ireland economy was top of the agenda at Parliament Buildings this evening (Friday 12 March) as the Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly welcomed Sir Reg Empey, Minister for Employment and Learning and Declan Kelly, the US Economic Envoy to Northern Ireland for the annual Northern Ireland Assembly and Business Trust (NIABT) President’s dinner.
NIABT President and Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, William Hay, MLA said “The Assembly and Business Trust plays an important part in connecting people involved in business life with people involved in political life in Northern Ireland. It enables MLAs to gain a better understanding of the issues affecting business success, and provides a forum where Assembly Members caninitiate programmes that can help improve the economic climate in Northern Ireland.
“It is for that reason that I was particularly pleased to welcome the US Economic Envoy and the Minister for Employment and Learning to this evening’s event. The NIABT members and I have particularly warm relationships with the Economic Envoy; we are confident that these relationships will bring real, sustained benefits for the Northern Ireland economy and society as a whole.”
“I am also very pleased with the increasing interest being shown by business people and MLAs in the NIABT. Since last year our business membership has increased by nearly 50%. That is a real indication that industry values, welcomes and understands the important role that MLAs have to play in creating a vibrant economy.”
Minister for Employment and Learning, Sir Reg Empey, commented, “I am delighted to have been given the opportunity by the NIABT to speak at tonight’s event. This was the prefect precursor to my trip to the USA next week with Declan. I thank him again for continuing to be a great friend to Northern Ireland, and in the USA. We will be delivering the message that Northern Ireland is open for business, and our people have the skills that American businesses will require when they invest.”
The annual President’s Dinner celebrates the work of the NIABT in its efforts to bring together Assembly Members and the business sector. NIABT sponsored Programmes include educational visits and fellowship schemes which this year have seen MLAs visit a local fish processing company and studying the work of Royal Mail. Other activities that the Trust is involved in include briefings with European officials and MEPs, workshops and seminars.
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
NIABT Background
The NIABT was established in 2002. An independent and self-financing educational charity, its focus is to foster development and promote Northern Ireland. The Trust brings together Assembly Members and the business sector to further its aims.
The Trust’s work is underpinned by a programme of seminars, visits and fellowship placements that brings together MLAs and business representatives. Programmes are non-partisan, non-lobbying, educational and informative. The NIABT is modelled on similar schemes in other legislatures, for example Westminster’s Industry & Parliament Trust.
The activity of the NIABT has increased significantly over the past 6 months. The Trust is pursuing new innovative ways in which to engage with local businesses, such as the post AGM Panel Debate in December 2009; the European Educational Programme in February 2010; visits to major NIABT companies during 2010 and an increase in the number of Assembly Awareness Programmes. Business membership continues to increase and the numbers of business members has increased from 24 to 37 over the past 12 months.
Media enquiries to:
Sinead Murphy
Deputy Communications Officer
Northern Ireland Assembly
Phone: 028 9052 5938
Mobile : 078 998 64368
Email: sinead.murphy@niassembly.gov.uk
Northern Ireland Assembly and Business Trust Annual President's Dinner
Pictured are L-r William Hay MLA, Northern Ireland Assembly and Business Trust President and Speaker of the NI Assembly. Declan Kelly, US Economic Envoy to Northern Ireland and Sir Reg Empey MLA, Minister for Employment and Learning.
Photo by Simon Graham/Harrison Photography
Northern Ireland Assembly and Business Trust Annual President's Dinner
Pictured are L-r Sean Neeson MLA, Chairman of the Northern Ireland Assembly and Business Trust, Declan Kelly, US Economic Envoy to Northern Ireland and William Hay MLA, Northern Ireland Assembly and Business Trust President and Speaker of the NI Assembly.
Photo by Simon Graham/Harrison Photography