A productive, highly skilled, innovative economy
Having undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years the Northern Ireland economy 
is achieving higher gross value added growth than the rest of the UK.
The key driver behind this improved performance has been through better labour market performance. Employment is at record levels and unemployment at historic lows. The Government is enhancing the skills base, encouraging more people into employment, promoting innovation and strengthening the private sector.
Northern Ireland is continuing to attract multi-national investors into key sectors such as software development and financial services including Microsoft and Citigroup, the world’s largest financial services company. Since 2000 £1.4 billion has been invested in Northern Ireland by externally owned companies.
Almost 700 externally-owned companies employing more than 70,000 people have set up operations throughout Northern Ireland. Key investors include leading companies such as Seagate Technology, DuPont, Bombardier Aerospace, Caterpillar, Allstate, Liberty Mutual, SAP, Polaris Software Lab, ICICI-One Source, Nortel Networks, HCL Technologies, Abbey, BT and Halifax.
The number of people employed is at an all time high, 766,000 in November 2006. Unemployment rates below the UK average and among the lowest in Europe.
Key Investors
Citigroup, the world’s largest financial services corporation, whose operations in Belfast are playing a key role in developing the firm’s European technology platform.
Microsoft, Oracle and SAP have been quick to lay claim to their share of Northern Ireland’s fresh IT talent; talent that has long been harnessed by the region’s strong hub of indigenous IT firms. Kainos, Andor Technology, APT, Meridio, Singularity and First Derivatives are all locally based firms that have become industry leaders
Indian firms, renowned for their low cost advantage, are harnessing Northern Ireland’s reputation for quality and skill. These include Polaris Lab’s new centre, the first software investment anywhere in Ireland by an Indian firm. Indian global IT and technology giant HCL employs over 2,000 in Northern Ireland. ICICI-One Source is setting up contact centres in Belfast and Londonderry.
