October 2010

The Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce this morning launched its manifesto for growth and jobs, ‘Enabling Economic Excellence’. The manifesto, which contains proposals to kick-start the economy, was drawn up after extensive consultation with the Chamber’s one thousand members across Northern Ireland. The proposals include:

1. The creation of new Opportunity Zones with:




• 
  
  100% rates relief for new companies and those with expansion plans for an initial three years;


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  A fast-tracked planning process, including time limits on consultations and appeals;


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  Relief on National Insurance payments for all employees in new businesses for an initial three-year period;


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  Access to a Jobs Fund to kick-start employment;


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  A government credit guarantee scheme for firms with growth and export plans;


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  Reduced corporation tax rate of 12.5%


2. 
   
   An independent review of all public expenditure, to report back with recommendations on cuts within a strictly defined time-period.


3. 
   
   At least a 25% reduction in ‘red tape’, which has cost the NI economy