Trade and Business

Northern Ireland’s economy has flourished in the past decade, making it a very exciting prospect for trading and investment opportunities.

The region has an enterprising economy - high value-added and innovative, with a highly skilled workforce. From the early 90s our ability to compete internationally has resulted in greater wealth-creation and better employment opportunities for all.

Employment has risen to record levels and the unemployment rate has held steady at a historically low level, currently around 4.5%, one of the lowest unemployment rates in the UK.  

Northern Ireland has achieved 100% access to broadband within every household and business in Northern Ireland, regardless of their location.  This investment makes Northern Ireland a European leader in terms of telecommunications provision, and is key to ensuring we have the infrastructure necessary to compete successfully in the global marketplace.

Northern Ireland can now boast a truly international network of air routes, with nine new international routes receiving assistance through the Government’s Air Route Development Fund, including the first ever direct route from Belfast to New York, which commenced in May 2005.  This is a major stride towards improving the accessibility of Northern Ireland’s businesses to the global economy.

International investors, including Caterpillar, Coca-Cola, Oracle, HCL and Seagate demonstrated their confidence in Northern Ireland by investing or re-investing here during 2005.  These are exciting achievements and will have a big impact on Northern Ireland’s economic future.  

Northern Ireland's manufacturing companies have seen impressive growth in their export levels over the last decade.  Indeed local small businesses have more than doubled exports in that period.  Local companies such as Powerscreen and Wrightbus went from strength to strength increasing their export reach around the world.

For further information, log onto www.investni.com or www.detini.gov.uk