NI is the fastest growing regional economy in UK

NORTHERN Ireland has the fastest growing economy of any region in the UK, according to the latest report by the Training & Employment Agency. The agency's Labour Market Bulletin shows that Northern Ireland's GDP rose by 4 per cent to 82.2 per cent between 1990 and 1994. The next highest growth was in Scotland, where it was 3.9 per cent.

The head of the agency's research and evaluation branch, Mr Terry Morahan, said the improvement was good news for everyone.

"Numbers in employment have risen by 40,000, and unemployment has fallen from 13 per cent in 1990 to It per cent," he said.

But Mr Morahan warned that there were also some negative factors which could influence future economic growth. These include the collapse of Fokker and the resulting redundancies at Shorts; the IRA's failure to reinstate its ceasefire; the BSE crisis; and the disturbances following the stand off at Drumcree in July.

In another survey published within the past few days, Northern Ireland was one of 11 regions of the UK where orders for manufactured goods increased in the four months to October. The survey, by the Confederation of British Industry and the economic consultancy, Business Strategies, revealed that export demand over the past four months was strongest in Northern Ireland.