Derry Chamber of Commerce say review must act as the springboard for a 'renewed and rejuvenated' Invest NI

Reacting to the publication of the Independent Review of Invest Northern Ireland, Derry Chamber President Selina Horshi said: “We welcome the publication of the Independent Review of Invest Northern Ireland.

"The findings that relationships are strained within the organisation at the highest level are deeply concerning and paint an uncertain picture of the organisation’s ability to successfully attract strong levels of inward investment to Northern Ireland and support local start-ups.

“In particular, the Chamber welcomes the acknowledgment that more should be done to promote Northern Ireland on a sub-regional basis and to strengthen and bolster sub-regional Invest NI offices.

"We are pleased that one of the review’s key findings is that the agency must be a better partner on a sub-regional level. The Chamber also strongly agrees with the review’s recommendation that ‘Invest NI regional offices should have a more strategic role and staff, resources and powers allocated to them should be reviewed’.

“This echoes our experience of Invest NI on a sub-regional level and reflects the recommendations the Chamber delegation made when we engaged with Sir Michael Lyons and his review team in 2022.

"Derry and the North West has vast economic potential, with a young and skilled workforce and a growing reputation for emerging industries like health and life sciences, fintech, and tech.

"This review must act as the springboard for a renewed and rejuvenated Invest NI, one which is much less Belfast-centric, which recognises the strength and potential of regional areas like Derry and the North West, and one which delivers equally and proportionally for all economic areas across Northern Ireland.

“The Chamber agrees that an economic development agency is crucial for Northern Ireland, to create jobs and attract companies to set up here as well as empowering local start-ups and entrepreneurs.

"We would strongly urge the senior leadership within Invest NI to ensure that work is now swiftly undertaken to improve the organisation, to take immediate action to take forward the recommendations in this report, and to deliver greater economic prosperity for all corners of Northern Ireland.”