The Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association (NIIRTA) has launched their Alternative Programme for Government from 2016-2021 at the Titanic Centre in Belfast.
The Programme outlines 97 recommendations to provide a more stable economy, setting out policy priorities for the each of the nine new Executive departments, which will be established after the Assembly election. NIIRTA is the first business organisation to produce a plan for the new nine departments to get Northern Ireland working again.
Keynote speakers at the event included deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness; Kevin Kingston, Chief Executive of Danske Bank; Nigel Milton, Director of External Affairs at Heathrow Airport and Glyn Roberts, Chief Executive of NIIRTA. Over 100 business leaders, politicians and key influencers attended the launch.
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness MLA said: “The retail trade is not just vital to the health of our economy, it’s the heart beat of the local community. North, South, East and West the jobs they create, and the services they provide in cities, towns and villages make a real and significant contribution to the quality of people’s lives.
“The Plan presented today is a clear statement of what NIIRTA seek in terms of support from the Executive to do its job in terms of growing businesses, creating jobs, and supporting the economy. This document will help inform and challenge our thinking for the next Programme for Government.
“I believe working together in the years ahead we can make real progress. Our future will be different if we shape it together with ambition and aspiration.”
Glyn Roberts, NIIRTA Chief Executive, said: “NIIRTA is the first business organisation to publish a comprehensive five year policy plan for all nine departments and for the new NI Assembly. While retail and town centres are central to this report, this is a plan for our economy as a whole.”
“With the nine new Executive departments coming into effect, it is time for a fresh start. Retail is the largest contributor to our private sector economy but today our members still feel that there are too many barriers to business in place. We are calling for the Executive to take our proposals on board and to work to secure retail’s rightful position as a key partner for growth in a new, more efficient private sector led Northern Ireland.
“In our Economic Programme for Government we outline detailed proposals for a radical reform of business rates, new Enterprise Zones, City Deals, more BIDs and investment in infrastructure.
“Action on addressing the high business costs, a coordinated plan to tackle red tape and creating a more vocational and professional education system are all key priorities in our Plan.”
Kevin Kingston, CEO of Danske Bank, speaking at the event added: “It feels like a good time for NIIRTA to be launching their alternative economic programme for government. This pre-election phase brings with it time and space for the political and business community to have open and frank discussions about how we can work together to shape economic priorities for the next Assembly mandate. We very much welcome the NIIRTA plan and their efforts to ensure that we are all on the best path towards securing longer term sustainable economic growth”
Some of the main priorities of the NIIRTA Plan include:
* Expansion of the Empty Premises Rate Relief
* Introduction of new Capital Allowance Rate Relief Scheme to support business growth
* Rural Rate Relief Scheme for Villages
* Appointment of a Junior Minister for Entrepreneurship and Skills in the Department for Economy
* Creation of Level Three Retail Apprenticeship
* UK Remaining part of a reformed EU
* Establish North-South Retail Forum
* Entrepreneurship being made a compulsory module from aged 14-18
* Set up Northern Ireland Town Team to coordinate regeneration policy
* Organised International Infrastructure Conference to identify models of modernisation
* New strategically focused Supply Chain Forum.
