Wed 3rd Jul 2013
Press Release: Northern Ireland Chamber launches radical manifesto for growth and jobs (08.10.10)

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:
- The creation of new Opportunity Zones with:
100% rates relief for new companies and those with expansion plans for an initial three years;
A fast-tracked planning process, including time limits on consultations and appeals;
Relief on National Insurance payments for all employees in new businesses for an initial three-year period;
Access to a Jobs Fund to kick-start employment;
A government credit guarantee scheme for firms with growth and export plans;
Reduced corporation tax rate of 12.5%
An independent review of all public expenditure, to report back with recommendations on cuts within a strictly defined time-period.
At least a 25% reduction in ‘red tape’, which has cost the NI economy