Innovation is vital for economic recovery, Dodds tells business community

Innovation is vital for economic recovery, Dodds tells business community
Photo by Aaron McCracken

Innovation is crucial for Northern Ireland’s economic recovery and to our future success locally and globally.

That was the key message from Economy Minister Diane Dodds after she began a series of meeting with senior leaders from partner companies in the Belfast City Region Deal.

Belfast City Region Deal

The Minister’s first meeting focussed on the progress of two separate innovations centres under development in Northern Ireland, Humain Ltd and Halon Entertainment which will see state-of-the-art facilities at the new Belfast Harbour Commission studio facilities at Giants Park.

The Minister said: Through the Belfast Region City Deal, these exciting projects will benefit from investment of over £250m and will focus on life and health sciences, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing and creative industries. These centres will build on Northern Ireland’s industrial strengths and excellent research capabilities and will support many more local companies to compete successfully in global markets, creating new and better-paid jobs and opportunities for future generations.

Driving progress

Projects such as these drive progress and support economic growth. Northern Ireland’s reputation for innovation is one of which we can be very proud. We need to capitalise on this – and on our highly-skilled workforce – to support recovery and to create jobs and wealth.”

The Belfast City Region Deal will deliver up to £1billion investment by the Northern Ireland Executive, UK Government, universities, local authorities and the private sector over the next 15 years.