Robinson and McGuinness - Northern Irish creative industries are truly world class

First Minister Rt Hon Peter D. Robinson MLA and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness MP MLA have told an audience of US business and political leaders that the creative industries in Northern Ireland are truly world class.

Speaking at the annual business breakfast hosted by the Northern Ireland Bureau to mark St Patrick's Day the Ministers described the local growth of the local creative industries sector as truly remarkable.

First Minister Peter D. Robinson said: "Northern Ireland has over the course of recent years developed a creative industries sector that is attracting significant global attention. In recent years productions by HBO and Universal have created hundreds of jobs and generated millions for the economy. Productions funded by NI Screen have generated a return of some £45million in the last three years alone.

"The creative industries are leading the way creating jobs and helping to rebalance and grow our economy. By encouraging creativity, we will fuel the emergence of creative ideas, creative people and creative enterprises. We will create a culturally rich society that will encourage people to live, work and invest in Northern Ireland."

Mr McGuinness said: "Ireland is renowned for its culture, its creativity and art. Every corner of the island is alive with enterprise, art and creative thinking -creative thinking to deliver political progress, creative thinking to breakdown community barriers and tackle inequality and creative thinking to promote economic growth for the benefit of all.

"Today's theme is creative industries and some 4.6% of our workforce, over 36,000 people, are employed in these sectors and are playing an ever increasing role in our efforts to rebalance the economy."

ROBINSON AND MCGUINNESS CONGRATULATE IRISH CRICKET SUCCESS

First Minister Peter D. Robinson MLA and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness MP MLA have congratulated the Ireland cricket team on their historic victory over England in the ICC Cricket World Cup.

Following the match Mr Robinson said: "This is an outstanding achievement by the Irish cricket team. To defeat one of the best sides in the world by chasing down a runs total of over 300 is quite remarkable.

"Kevin O'Brien's stunning century, the fastest in the history of the Cricket World Cup, must rank as one of the greatest individual performances in the history of Irish sport."

Mr McGuinness said: "There are few who would have thought it possible that Ireland could have improved on their achievements at the last world cup. However today's victory surely represents the pinnacle of Irish cricketing achievement, even surpassing their great victory over Pakistan four years ago.

"I would both like to congratulate the whole team and all involved with Cricket Ireland. I hope that this victory will lead to further success in the tournament."

SPORTS MINISTER HERALDS CRICKET VICTORY

Sports Minister Nelson McCausland has praised the Ireland cricket team after they defeated England in the World Cup earlier today.

"This is a historic win for the Ireland team," the Minister said.

"To defeat an England side packed with household names, and fresh from victory in the Ashes, is a truly remarkable achievement.

"While Ireland may have been the underdogs, they showed skill, courage and sportsmanship to beat one of the world's cricketing superpowers.

The Minister added: "It was a superb team effort, but praise must go to Kevin O'Brien for a magnificent century which will no doubt go down in history."

Kennedy – we can learn lessons from North Carolina

Employment and Learning Minister, Danny Kennedy, has visited North Carolina to examine the success of its skills and economic development model.

The Minister was accompanied by Jeremy Fitch, Managing Director of Invest Northern Ireland. The Department for Employment and Learning and Invest Northern Ireland are working together to develop the Assured Skills programme which is modelled on North Carolina's approach to attracting inward investment. It aims to deliver the skilled workforce that investors require, including the delivery of bespoke training programmes.

In a series of meetings, the Minister discussed the development of the North Carolina model, which has seen it recognised as the state with the best business climate in the entire United States in nine of the past 10 years.

Mr Kennedy emphasised that, whilst significant progress had been made, Northern Ireland still had lessons to learn from North Carolina. He said: "All those with whom I have spoken, in government, business, Further Education and Higher Education, have consistently emphasised the significance of cooperation between sectors as the key to a successful economic development policy. While we in Northern Ireland have attempted in recent years to reflect this in our own approach, we must continue to analyse and implement best practice wherever possible. The ambition, flexibility and collaborative approach seen in North Carolina offers a model to Northern Ireland if we are to succeed in growing our private sector and building future prosperity.”

The Minister met with educational, business and state government leaders to discuss the relationship between higher education, further education and the business community and included a meeting with North Carolina's Secretary of Commerce, Keith Crisco, who emphasised the need for continued investment in the skills agenda in order to secure future economic growth.

Mr. Kennedy said: "The strong cultural links between Northern Ireland and North Carolina have in recent years been extended to include a growing economic relationship. The 'North Carolina model' of economic development, above all, a collaborative partnership between Higher Education, Further Education, business and government in order to build a highly-skilled workforce, is regarded by my Department as demonstrating how we in Northern Ireland should be working.

“The real economic challenges faced by North Carolina will be familiar to Northern Ireland - growing unemployment, reduced public spending and strong competition from neighbours. Despite this, North Carolina is determined to continue investment in its highly successful model of economic development and this is an approach which we must seek to emulate.”

Notes to editors:

1. A photograph of Employment and Learning Minister, Danny Kennedy meeting with Dr Scott Ralls, President of the North Carolina Community College System and Jeremy Fitch, Managing Director of Invest NI, at Raleigh, North Carolina is available at http://www.delni.gov.uk/north-carolina-2011.

2. All media queries should be directed to the Department for Employment and Learning Communications Branch on 028 9025 7466. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.