§ Mr. Peter RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many international firms are employed by the department of commerce, directly or indirectly through Government Departments, to promote investment in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. AtkinsThe Industrial Development Board for Northern Ireland, acting through the Department of Economic Development, has responsibility for attracting inward investment to Northern Ireland. Across its global target markets, the IDB currently employs the services of:
- (a) three international public relation firms to promote Northern Ireland as an inward investment location. These are, Kommunikation and Burson-Marsteller in Germany; Burson-Marsteller in Korea; and K-Concepts in Taiwan. In both the United States and Japan the selection of a PR agency is underway at present and appointments are expected to be made shortly; and
- (b) two promotional support agencies who represent IDB in Asia Pacific and Brussels. These are Torne Investments Ltd. in Japan and Brussels and Jadehouse Investment Ltd. in Taiwan.
§ Mr. Peter RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what efforts have been made to attract industrial development to Northern Ireland from the United States of America within the past four years; and what have been the results of such efforts.
§ Mr. AtkinsThe search for new investment is spearheaded by IDB staff located in the USA. Until March 629W 1990 the small team in New York was complemented by other Northern Ireland staff assigned to the British consulate general network throughout the USA.
With effect from April 1990 Northern Ireland established its own network of offices in New York, Los Angeles and a headquarters in Chicago reflecting the main centres of manufacture within the USA.
The core work of identifying and meeting potential investors is supported by a continuing promotional programme of cultivation of media, trade organisations and other key business contacts aimed at raising the profile of IDB activities within the USA.
In the past four years IDB representatives have visited 1,019 companies and encouraged 248 potential investors to visit Northern Ireland. Five major projects entailing an investment to £189 million and promoting 1,600 new jobs have been announced in the last four years.
In addition to the search for new investors close contact is maintained with the parent companies of the 34 United States-owned operations in Northern Ireland with a view to encouraging further investment. In the past four years 14 of these companies committed to investment programmes totalling £250 million which will provide 1,200 new jobs and safeguard a further 1,850 jobs.
§ Mr. Peter RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what arrangements are made by his Department for publishing information about financial assistance to industry within Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. MatesThe Department of Economic Development has available a wide range of publications on financial assistance which is available to industry. These are obtainable from the DED businesses—the Industrial Development Board, the Local Enterprise Development Unit, the Training and Employment Agency, the Northern Ireland tourist board, the Industrial Research and Technology Unit and the Energy Efficiency Service.
The Department of Agriculture produces a wide range of information on the financial assistance available to the agricultural industry in Northern Ireland. This can be obtained from the Department's headquarters or from local county agricultural development offices. The Department also issues press releases on schemes of financial assistance when these are introduced or modified. In addition, the Department is currently updating its "At Your Service" booklet, a guide to the Department's services including financial assistance available and points of contact for further information.