To ask the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment how she is encouraging foreign direct investment by selling the attributes of areas outside of Belfast and Londonderry.

Invest NI’s track record in attracting high quality Foreign Direct Investment provides a very significant benefit for all of Northern Ireland. A record year in 2013/14 was followed by Invest NI’s best ever mid-year results, released at the start of November last year, with some of the achievements from the previous year already surpassed. Those mid-year results show that 40% of the job-related inward investment offers were made to companies outside the Belfast and Londonderry areas.

It is important to note that, in order to compete internationally, Invest NI promotes Northern Ireland as a whole. To promote parts of Northern Ireland individually, or to exclude specific areas, would dilute the proposition in what is a very competitive market for FDI. That is not to say that Invest NI does not take steps to understand and appreciate each area’s key demographics and attributes. This is achieved through direct engagement with interested parties in a number of ways.

For example, Invest NI has engaged with a number of Councils and other stakeholders to help them develop sales propositions which show the strengths and opportunities in their area. The agency has also developed an “FDI app” and a “District Council App” and is working with a number of Councils on developing this tool. The app will help present a snapshot of the benefits of setting up in Northern Ireland, and in specific areas, to potential investors.

Ultimately the investor will make the decision as to where they locate based on their specific business needs and having considered the options available to them. The requirements will vary depending on the nature of the project, but a company will typically look at existing investors in the same business sector; universities and colleges that offer courses relating to that sector; and suitable, available property. In addition, potential investors are often drawn to population centres that they consider will provide the appropriate number of suitably skilled potential employees. Therefore, a clear understanding and evidence of skill demographics for any region greatly assist a potential investor in considering a particular area.