Northern Ireland Affairs Committee visits borough

THE Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Leah Kirkpatrick, elected reps and council staff welcomed members of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee to Global Point, Newtownabbey, as part of the Committee’s ongoing inquiry into ‘Economic growth in Northern Ireland: new and emerging sectors’.

The visit took place just weeks after officers from Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council gave oral evidence to the Committee as part of its inquiry into economic growth in Northern Ireland.

It also builds on last week’s announcement by independent think tank Growth Flag, which named Antrim and Newtownabbey among the top ten locations across the UK for business growth and investment.

The visit focused on the opportunities and barriers to economic growth, as well as how future government initiatives can enhance growth across the region. Discussions also explored how the UK Government, the Northern Ireland Executive and local government can work more effectively together to deliver sustained economic development.

The Committee was welcomed to the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC), a flagship development designed to drive growth, collaboration and innovation across the region. Due to open this spring, the ‘Factory of the Future’ will support flexible manufacturing, research and development, and engineering innovation.

The project is funded through the Belfast Region City Deal, Queen’s University Belfast, Ulster University, and a £10 million contribution from Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council.

The delegation also toured Sensata Technologies’ £16.5 million state-of-the-art research and development facility, which opened in June last year.

The new Technology Centre represents the latest addition to a growing portfolio of advanced manufacturing facilities at Global Point, further positioning the site as an increasingly attractive location for global companies seeking to invest in Northern Ireland.

Following the visits, the Mayor chaired a roundtable discussion with Committee members focusing on the Borough’s economic priorities and how the UK Government can support these ambitions. Council officers outlined how Northern Ireland, and particularly the advanced manufacturing cluster developing at Global Point, is well placed to help deliver the commitments set out in the UK Industrial Strategy.

Discussions also highlighted how the City and Growth Deal programme has acted as a catalyst for enhanced cooperation and senior-level delivery.

However, with the initial deal now over ten years old and capital projects either in progress or nearing completion, it was noted that further work is required to maximise the long-term opportunities presented by these flagship investments.

Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Leah Kirkpatrick, commented: “It is a privilege to welcome members of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee to the Borough, and in particular to Global Point.

“Their visit is especially timely, following the launch of our new investment proposition in Westminster in December and the recent announcement that Antrim and Newtownabbey has been named one of the top ten locations in the UK for business growth and investment by the independent economic think tank Growth Flag.

“We have an exceptional proposition here in Antrim and Newtownabbey, and a unique attitude to economic growth.”

Sam Turner, CEO of AMIC said: “It was fantastic to welcome members of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee to AMIC as we approach the completion of this important new asset for Northern Ireland. Maximising the opportunities this centre presents and ensuring a level playing field across the UK research and development landscape, will be key to its successful delivery.”

Chair of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committe, Tonia Antoniazzi MP added: “My fellow Committee members and I received a very warm welcome from the team at Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council at Global Point.

“This council is leading the way in economic development activity in Northern Ireland, and it was fascinating to hear more about how the UK Government can support those ambitions and how this region can contribute to the growth of the UK economy.”

The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee is a Westminster Committee that examines the expenditure, administration and policy of the Northern Ireland Office and its associated bodies. The visit to Antrim and Newtownabbey formed part of a three-day visit across the region.

A report before the Economic Development Committee in January said that there would also be a visit to Belfast International Airport and Sysco Nutts Corner, however this was not mentioned in the council’s press release, which was not sent to the Antrim Guardian.