Foreign firms created majority (297) of state-backed jobs

Seventy-three jobs were created by locally-owned firms receving assistance from Invest NI. These jobs were in business services (14); computer software and services (12); construction products (2); creative (4); engineering (27); food (2); furniture (5); general manufacturing (5); and giftware (2).

The Minister explained that Invest NI also supported 86 jobs in Londonderry indirectly through the Enterprise Development Programme (formerly the Start a Business programme), which was delivered in conjunction with Enterprise Northern Ireland.

Responding to an Assembly Question the Minister also said that in 2009/10 Invest NI hosted 13 credible Foreign Direct Investment visits in Londonderry whilst in 2010/11 the state agency hosted 10 FDI visits here.

She advised: “A credible visit is one where Invest NI can claim to have promoted a district council or parliamentary constituency area by bringing a potential investor into that area.

“In addition to the above listed visits, Invest NI has also facilitated a number of visits by other organisations e.g. influencers, overseas governments and trade bodies, which serve to strengthen FDI & Trade links in overseas markets.

“Invest NI works closely with potential investors when preparing a draft visit programme to ensure that the locations to be visited meet their requirements and also provide the best opportunity for Invest NI to sell the Northern Ireland proposition.

“However, it is important to emphasise that it is the investor’s decision to select a business location. This is based on a number of factors, including availability of skills and workforce, transport links, availability of suitable property and the presence of existing sectoral clusters within Northern Ireland. And, in the case of existing investors, most will choose to expand in their current location.”