Location:
Northern Ireland comprises the six north eastern counties of the island of Ireland, located off the west coast of the European mainland. It has an area of 5,500 square miles and is constitutionally part of the UK. Northern Ireland has a population of approximately 1.7 million that is one of the youngest in Europe with almost 40% under the age of 25. It is also one of the fastest growing with the second highest birth rate. Northern Ireland’s main cities are Belfast, Londonderry, Lisburn and Newry.

Belfast City, the capital of Northern Ireland,
has a population of 277,391(2001 census)

Transportation Services:
Northern Ireland has excellent ports and airports and all locations are within 90 minutes of a modern sea or airport. Three main airports Belfast International, Belfast City and Derry City, serve the province. There are scheduled hourly flights to London and regular flights to all other major UK cities. Direct flights to European hubs and North America are also available. Ports at Belfast Harbour, Larne Harbour, Warrenpoint and Londonderry offer a wide range of facilities and routes to many destinations. Six main motorways serve Northern Ireland and major trunk roads provide connections throughout all main towns and cities.

In an Assisted Area: A wide range of substantial incentives is on offer to inward investors and the entire region is eligible for assistance with particular areas of high social needs attracting higher financial incentives.

Other Kinds of Financial Assistance on Offer:
Grants are available as capital grants for buildings, machinery and equipment; revenue grants for start-up costs, interest relief, factory rents, market entry and R&D; and special tax and finance arrangements.

Available Sites Include:
Invest NI has an extensive range of land available. All sites are strategically located close to motorways, ports and airports and within easy reach of potential employees. They are provided with essential services such as water, waste removal, power and telecommunications.
Major Business Parks: Property is currently available at some 50 locations throughout the region, such as Antrim, Ballymena, Coleraine, Enniskillen, Londonderry, Newry and Omagh.

Office Developments Include:
Invest NI owned: Whiterock Business Unit, Belfast (22,000sq ft); Glenbank Business Unit, Belfast (19,000sq ft). Private sector (existing and proposed): Metro Building, Belfast (72,000sq ft); Harbour Gate, Belfast (60,000sq ft); Northern Ireland Science Park Innovation Centre, Belfast (60,000sq ft); Ulster Science and Technology Park No 3, Londonderry (50,000sq ft); Strabane Business Unit, Strabane (30,000sq ft). Northern Ireland has a vibrant property market and many smaller new hi-spec office developments are available and under development.

Belfast's regenerated Laganside has seen much
of the recent inward investment to Northern Ireland

Major Industries in the Area:
Software, financial services, shared services centres and optical equipment, telecommunications, call centres, automotive components, engineering, healthcare, chemicals and metal fabrication, shipbuilding, aircraft manufacturing, defence and food processing.

Major Companies in the Area:
3M, Seagate, DuPont, Visteon, ntl, Raytheon, Liberty Mutual, Bombardier, Fujitsu, Daewoo, Michelin, Halifax, Abbey National, BT, Prudential, Randox, Chemical Synthesis Services, Nortel Networks, Allstate.

Advice and Assistance:
Invest Northern Ireland helps companies establish and expand operations in Northern Ireland. Invest NI works in partnership with companies to help find a suitable location and offices, keep start-up and operating costs down and quickly staff the operation with a high quality and affordable workforce. Invest NI will deliver a highly attractive and competitive package of financial incentives, recruitment incentives, recruitment and training support customised to each company's needs. And there is continuity of partnership the Invest NI team that agrees the deal stays with the investing company as it sets up operations, helping to overcome any problems. Even when the company is fully established, Invest NI’s customer aftercare service is always available.

Belfast's regenerated Laganside has seen much of
the recent inward investment to Northern Ireland

Contact:
Ms Bernie McGrath, Deputy Principal Officer, International Sales and Marketing, Invest Northern Ireland, Goodwood House, 44-58 May Street, Belfast, BT4 1NN. Tel: +44-(0)28-9023 9090. Fax: +44-(0)28-9049 0490. E-mail: invest@investni.com Web Site: www.investni.com/invest