The strength, dynamism and vibrancy of our local economy is reflected in this year’s Ulster Business Top 100.
I am determined to do all I can to enable businesses like these, and many more right across the north, to continue to flourish and succeed.
When I took office, I set out my aim to create a regionally balanced economy, with good jobs, increased productivity, and a drive towards to net zero.
I recently launched a series of action plans, developed in partnership with industry, to harness our most innovative, productive and internationally oriented sectors, including agri-tech, life and health sciences, screen industries, advanced manufacturing and low carbon.
The plans will drive growth through collaboration and clustering, responding to industry’s skills needs and putting local companies in a strong position in the global market.
I have also set out my plans for how we can ensure we have people with the right skills for the evolving current and future job market, as sectors continue to develop.
A programme of new initiatives will be rolled out in the coming months as a result of a new £12m Skills Fund. This will strengthen our skills base, ensuring it will be a key driver for future growth.
To further support the vital role of workers in our economy, I launched a consultation on proposals to introduce an Employment Bill which will reinforce employment rights legislation.
By tackling insecure working practices and promoting flexible working, more people will enter, stay in, or re-enter the workforce – and this can only benefit our whole economy.
Dual market access provides us with an international competitive advantage that will boost exports and overall productivity. Recent research has shown that many sectors are already benefitting, and I intend to help companies build on that success.
All-island cooperation and collaboration – where expertise, resources, skills and innovation can be shared for mutual benefit – is central to future growth.
Recently, I signed an agreement with southern Minister Catherine Martin that will see tourism, one of our most important sectors, become more economically and socially sustainable.
Working with InterTradeIreland and Tourism Ireland, among others, I will continue to develop opportunities like this that will deliver clear commercial benefits for the north.
Invest NI will strengthen its regional presence, and work with communities on their local economic priorities. The agency will better target its support to balance the needs of local small and medium enterprises with those of foreign direct investors.
Start-ups and social enterprises, both vital components of our economy, will also be supported.
Alongside this, my department is rolling out at pace the £1.5bn City and Growth Deal programme, with schemes in sectors including health and life sciences, screen industries and tourism.
World class projects such as the £230m Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre with Queen’s University Belfast will stimulate new industries, support businesses to innovate and expand, and in doing so, create thousands of jobs right across the north.
Decarbonisation presents a tremendous economic opportunity. Local companies that have invested in net zero technologies are performing strongly and this will only grow further as my action plan for the low carbon sector, including green hydrogen, takes effect.
My approach from day one has been one of partnership and collaboration – with businesses, trade unions, community bodies and wider expertise – to ensure our stakeholders’ voices are listened to and taken account of.
Together we can put in place the most effective measures and create the conditions to unlock the full economic potential of our businesses and our people.
I congratulate every company on this Top 100 list. They demonstrate what can be achieved and are the inspiration to drive us all on to future success.