Manufacturing Northern Ireland (MNI) — an organisation that represents more than 500 companies across the province — says that the Executive government must adopt a “cohesive” strategy designed to help 're-industrialise' Northern Ireland.
The industry body is calling on ministers to work closely with it to create the conditions in which thousands of new jobs can be realised by investing in the sector.
Speaking to the Enterprise, Trade and Investment Committee at Stormont, MNI chief executive Stephen Kelly said: “Despite coming through the worst economic downturn in a century, manufacturing generates annual sales of over £19 billion and directly employs some 80,000 people
“That is an average of over 4,400 per constituency or around one in five families relying on a manufacturing wage.
“By drawing a coherent manufacturing strategy together, which sets a target for competitive energy prices, secures industrial de-rating in long-term legislation and cements a skilled qualified workforce and careers service, we can build on the good work done by reducing Corporation Tax last year and really set ‘Northern Ireland plc’ on the path to sustainable prosperity.
“The rates cap for manufacturing must remain beyond the current 2015-16 commitment. The current lack of certainty is holding back investment, so industrial de-rating needs to be secured for the long term through legislation; this will bring confidence to our manufacturing operations.”