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Colloqui di emergenza per economia nordirlandese

Emergency talks over NI economy

The Finance Minister has held emergency talks with business and trade union leaders over the impact of the global financial crisis on the local economy.

Sammy Wilson, DUPSammy Wilson chaired the Stormont meeting just hours after nervous stock markets opened around the world.

It comes amid fears of a double-dip recession brought on by growing economic uncertainty in Europe and America, following news the US has lost its triple A credit rating.

Representatives from CBI, the Institute of Directors and the Federation of Small Businesses were amongst those in attendance at the summit on Monday morning.

They discussed issues including the possibility of a meeting with Mervyn King, chairman of the Bank of England, about the weakness of the local banking sector.

Alternative ways of funding businesses and ideas for how the programme for government might be used to stimulate growth and jobs were also put forward.

“It was a fairly positive meeting,” Mr Wilson said.

“People realise there are limitations to what we could do but that doesn’t mean we should throw our hands up and surrender.

“I was pleased that was the reaction. People came along with ideas and a positive approach and I think that’s the attitude that’s going to help us through the current crisis.”

Glyn Roberts from the Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association (NIIRTA) said the meeting was “constructive”.

“This was a useful meeting at which a variety of ideas were put forward to stimulate growth and get our economy back on track,” said Mr Roberts.

“NIIRTA highlighted the need for the Executive to remove the barriers to growth for our small business sector, such as business rates, corporation tax, red tape & bureaucracy.

“It is crucial in the weeks and months to come that business, trade unions, and voluntary sectors present a united front in dealing with our economic challenges ahead.”

Meanwhile a new survey has revealed business activity in Northern Ireland’s private sector has dropped for the 20th month in a row.

The Purchasing Managers’ Index said July’s decrease was the sharpest since January, and contrasted with growth recorded across the UK economy as a whole.

It blamed the fall on lower levels of new work, with activity falling fastest in construction followed by the service industry.

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René Querin

Di professione grafico e web designer, sono appassionato di trekking e innamorato dell'Irlanda e della sua storia. Insieme ad Andrea Varacalli ho creato e gestisco Les Enfants Terribles.

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