1.  Antrim Borough Council does not have a formal policy on attracting inward investment. Antrim has a number of foreign direct investors within the Borough notably Daewoo, Daewha, Norfil, Schrader and Fujitsu. Our strengths lie particularly in construction, IT, health care and distribution.

  2.  Inward investment location is principally a question of land ownership. Antrim Borough council does not hold a land bank for this purpose. The IDB however does hold substantial land reserves in the Borough (IDB annual report for 98/99 indicates 113 acres in the current year, representing four per cent of total holdings in Northern Ireland).

  3.  Much of the developed land bank owned by IDB has been targeted as TSN areas latterly Rathenraw and more recently at Toome. It has to be said that unemployment figures in these areas continue to be relatively high despite our good overall rate. TSN is a low priority concern for FDI (foreign direct investment).

  4.  Council does not set out to actively promote the borough as a potential location. One could argue that the Borough has enough large-scale investment ie the Enkalon blot. The Council also pursues a general policy of prudence when considering foreign visits. A major concern is how effective such activity would be. Some authorities have just completed major inward investment trips to Boston, Pittsburgh and North Carolina, yet returned empty handed. Belfast and Derry Councils have the economies of scale and political influence to unlock investment. Antrim does not. Both these Councils have strong national and regional representation.

  5.  Antrim Borough's success in attracting inward investment rests on its access to an excellent road network and IDB assistance. IDB annual report states 946 jobs were new or safeguarded during the year. Two new projects were begun with a total investment of £30.2 million of which IDB contributed £4.6 million.

  6.  The Council has very little dealing with IDB yet Antrim Borough was second only to Belfast in inward investor visits in 98/99. (44 in total (15 per cent)) compared to Belfast (26 per cent).

  7.  Our Economic Development Officer was unaware of any of these visits. IDB has only on one occasion contacted Council regarding a visit and this was in early 1998. For the preceding three years, visits totalled, 21, 34 and 18 respectively.

  8.  The main area of concern for Antrim lies in the IDB management policy directed towards Antrim Technology Park. At best, it is one of "benign neglect" at worst "wilful neglect". Given the current government's concern with promoting IT as the new dynamic economic driver, the park is best placed to assist and benefit this policy objective.

  9.  New initiatives such as the new Science Park, University for Industry and IT inward investment expansion all currently bypass the park.

  10.  The operational management of the Technology Park remains a major concern. It is less than half occupied mainly because the cost structure discriminates against small start up. This factor is the bread and butter of the IT industry. A drive around the current park only emphasises the unreal feel to the place. The park should be sold off into private hands or given to a Council based consortium to manage and promote.

  11.  The work of CORE Regional Development may be of relevance. While the grouping has not been focussed on inward investment, it may be a more appropriate vehicle to market the County of Antrim.

  In summary the council, while having no formal policy on attracting Inward Investment, relies heavily on the IDB. Promotion is ad hoc because Council is concerned about value for money and limited returns. Concern has also been raised about the IDB relationship being generally one way. The activities of IDB whilst welcome on some fronts are not always of maximum benefit to the Borough. The issue of Antrim Technology Park and its utilisation is paramount.

2 December 1999