INTRODUCTION

  Newtownabbey occupies a dominant position within Northern Ireland's business belt with excellent access to ports and airports. The area is particularly attractive to inward investors as a result of its highly skilled workforce, availability of industrial sites and the high standard of educational, residential and leisure facilities. Key to Newtownabbey's economic success are the locally based University of Ulster and East Antrim Institute of Further and Higher Education.

  The Borough of Newtownabbey has benefited significantly from inward investment in the past and expects to continue to do so in the future. The number of IDB client company locations and employment levels in IDB client companies compares very favourably with other areas in Northern Ireland.

COUNCIL POLICY

  Whilst Newtownabbey Borough Council does not currently have a written policy in relation to inward investment, we recognise the need to attract investors that will generate added value in the local economy within the context of profitability and sustainable employment. The Council believes that the types of inward investment that will realise this in the Newtownabbey area are the Tradeable Services and Electronics and Telecommunications sectors.

LOCATION POLICY AND PROMOTION OF THE NEWTOWNABBEY AREA

  With regards to location and the priority given to TSN areas and their hinterlands, the Council relies on IDB to acquire land for industrial development. In this context, IDB has a relatively large land holding in the Borough (approximately 288 acres) mainly at the "Ballyhenry" site. Similarly, in relation to the promotion of the Newtownabbey area, the Council has promoted the borough to potential investors in Europe and America. However, we rely on IDB to promote the area on a world wide basis within the context of the IDB sites available in Newtownabbey.

CONCLUSION

  Whilst the Council recognises that IDB has been successful in attracting inward investors to the Newtownabbey area, we are concerned about the lack of consultation and information available from IDB, particularly with regards to the development of the Ballyhenry site and the type of inward investment that may be secured for this area. The Council looks forward to playing a greater role with regards to inward investment and to improved co-operation and communication with IDB in the future.