AQW 47022/11-15

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 10/06/2015
Answered On Date: 24/06/2015
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment how the recommendations in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's report The Case of Ireland – Northern Ireland – Regions and Innovation: Collaborating Across Borders are being implemented to benefit the economy in the north west.

Answer:

InterTradeIreland, a North South body jointly funded by my Department and the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation in the Republic of Ireland, worked closely with my officials and their co-sponsor department to review and implement the recommendations of the OECD report.

InterTradeIreland, through its programmes and networking activity, maintain the lead role in promoting greater involvement of business, business associations, universities and technology institutes, where there is an advantage in all-island trade and business development.

This will continue to be done through InterTradeIreland’s innovation programme, all-island research steering groups, interactions with FundSME, the accountancy bodies, the venture capital association, Small Firms Association, Enterprise bodies and Local Enterprise Organisations.