A major re-focusing of export and trade services by the Industrial Development Board (IDB), launched yesterday, is aimed at accelerating the growth of exports from Northern Ireland.
Mr Adam Ingram, Economy Minister, said the setting up of Trade International Northern Ireland, formerly IDB's Export and Trade Division, represents "a fresh and dynamic approach".
The new body will enable companies to compete more effectively for business and grow faster "in today's demanding global markets", he said.
Existing export and trade services will now be delivered on a sectoral basis. Trade International's programmes have been re-focused on food, engineering, electronics, textiles and clothing and tradeable services.
The development is in line with IDB's new corporate plan for the 3-year period to March 2001, one of the key aims of which is to promote the growth of internationally competitive companies. Among the targets in the plan is a growth in exports from £2.8 billion to £3.8 billion over the 3-year period.
Trade International is to provide a fresh impetus to Northern Ireland exports, building on the 70 per cent increase in sales overseas by IDB client companies between 1991/1992 and 1996/1997, Mr Ingram said.
He said the greater international interest in the North provided a tremendous opportunity for local firms.
