 Head of NICS Speaks at Sii Breakfast
HEAD OF NICS SPEAKS AT SII BREAKFAST
NORTHERN Ireland is facing unprecedented short-term economic challenges, according to Bruce Robinson, head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS).
Mr Robinson delivered the main address at a Sales Institute of Ireland breakfast meeting in the Stormont Hotel, sponsored by leading IT company Oracle, and told almost 200 delegates that the challenges ahead are “‘more critical than they have been for a generation”.
“As we are all aware, the Northern Ireland economy is in recession and we are facing unprecedented economic challenges in the short term”, said Mr Robinson. “These challenges are certainly more critical than they have been for a generation and are impacting globally as well as locally.” Mr Robinson said that while the Government at national level has already taken dramatic action to address some of the key issues, the Executive in Northern Ireland has also been playing its part.
He pointed to the monetary package which had been made available, including £15million to alleviate fuel poverty, and £44.5million investment in schools, roads and farms which will also impact positively on the local construction industry. He also pointed to the fact that falls in the value of sterling meant local companies were more competitive in the international marketplace.
“Northern Ireland relies heavily on external trade so downturns in the global economy have significant impacts on the regional economy. All of our external markets - Great Britain, the Republic of Ireland and the EU – are officially in recession and output in the US is also falling”, he said.
“However, while many local businesses continue to face falling demand for their goods and services, the fall in the value of sterling means that locally-produced goods and services are internationally more competitive. This presents an opportunity for ambitious, export-focused companies.
The Breakfast meeting was Chaired by Noel Brady, chairman of the Northern Ireland branch of the Sales Institute of Ireland, and his guest was Paul O’Riordan of event sponsor Oracle.
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