Investors watching NI situation

New technology firms have expanded in N Ireland

by BBC NI business editor, James Kerr

Northern Ireland's Industrial Development Board has had a record year for attracting inward investment.

More than 6,000 new jobs have been promised by firms from outside Northern Ireland.

However, the figures have once again highlighted the problems faced by companies in more traditional sectors.

In terms of jobs, the biggest investment announced during the year was a call centre for the Halifax.

It is being being built on the old gasworks site near the centre of Belfast.

Opportunities

The investment is one of 33 undertaken over the last year by externally owned companies - between them, they have promised 6,600 jobs.

Commenting on the figures, IDB chairman Dr Alan Gillespie said: "We have an unprecedented opportunity to win investment for Northern Ireland, and what's out there are jobs in the 'new economy'. That means software, e-commerce, call centres."

To set against that, 2,400 jobs have been lost in the textiles and clothing industry - on top of 2,000 the year before.

But while this has taken the gloss off the figures, the wave of investment in newer industries is on a significant scale.

More and better jobs needed

Names such as Nortel and Fujitsu are world technology leaders and both now have a significant presence in Northern Ireland.

Local business leaders such as Eric Bell of the Institute of Directors, argue that keeping up the investment momentum means maintaining investor confidence in the region's direction, economically and politically.

"Northern Ireland needs more and better paid jobs for the prosperity of our children and our childrens' children.

"We are at a time of transition. Our politicans have a great opportunity to create stability and they must take it."

Two years ago the IDB took a major promotional compaign coast-to-coast across America as the launchpad for a "new" Northern Ireland.

Privately, key figures at the agency will admit that initative proved somewhat premature.

They say the political uncertainties of recent months have sent out the wrong message.

But the opportunity to convince those potential investors remains.

They may be watching closely in the days ahead to see what happens next.