To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail his plans for enabling and supporting areas outside Belfast to engage in, and benefit from, the seven economic sectors he identified for growth at the Digital DNA Conference.

I have made regional economic balance one of my core priorities and I recognise the essential role of industry in enhancing the vibrancy of local economies.

The sectors which have been identified as our most innovative, productive and internationally focused already represent a significant geographic spread across the north of Ireland. The sectoral action plans are designed to help these sectors grow at scale and ensure the benefits of that growth will be felt across the region.

Key themes running through each of the plans include clustering and collaboration. Clustering is key in supporting regional economic development and actions are designed to foster and enhance the necessary levels of collaboration in order to maximise their impact.

In autumn 2024 my department will complement the sectoral action plans through the launch of a subregional economic action plan, which will set out our subregional priorities and objectives.