Debate contribution: Rural Economy
Debate contribution by Mr Conor Murphy on .
- MLA
- Mr Conor Murphy
- Party at the time
- Sinn Féin
- Date
- 12 November 2024
- Type
- Debate contribution (made as a minister)
- Business
- Oral Answers to Questions
- Heading
- Rural Economy
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 4658617
Read the official Assembly record
Text
There is a range of measures. The recently launched regional balance strategy means that the emphasis in support has to shift from being largely Belfast-based and go out to rural economies and regions, including to the north-west and border areas, to make sure that there is support there. Earlier, I answered questions earlier about energy and talked about biomethane, wind and renewable energy generally. There are great opportunities for those in rural areas, because that is where a lot of those industries are located. As I said, we are trying to encourage a refocus in Invest NI not just on FDI but on start-ups, the growth of our indigenous businesses and opportunities that will promote dual market access for our companies across the region to grow and export to Europe. As I said, our drive towards green technology and net zero perhaps lends itself more to rural economies than to urban ones, and we will continue to promote those industries and try to secure support for them. There is a lot happening in rural areas. There needs to be more, which is why we have set more ambitious targets for growth outside Belfast.
193 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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