§ Mr. Gregory CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what criteria are used by Invest Northern Ireland in determining locations for visits by potential inward investors to create employment in Northern Ireland. [178613]
§ Mr. GardinerInvest NI promotes and markets the Northern Ireland business proposition as one single entity. The rationale for this approach is that internationally mobile investment is fiercely competitive and potential investors demand detailed information against a wide range of criteria such as size of employment pool, skills availability, property and infrastructure.
Taking into account the time available Invest NI can suggest a visit programme which closely matches a company's requirements. The locations of existing investors, who participate in the inward visits, also influence the proposed visit programme. However, the 966W company always has the final say in which elements of the proposed programme to accept or reject including where to visit within Northern Ireland.
Invest NI is fully aware of its obligations in respect of securing visits to and projects in New Targeting Social Need areas, and addresses this in its illustrative incentive packages.