There needs to be a more "grown up attitude" to the promotion of Northern Ireland business abroad, according to NI Conservatives’ spokesman, Mark Brotherston.
“Whenever politicians - the First Minister, the Deputy First Minister or the Enterprise Minister - go abroad to promote Northern Ireland, it’s frequently portrayed as a ‘junket’”, Mark noted. “Now I believe that Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness are doing a pretty appalling job in many respects, but I would certainly not criticise them for travelling to other countries, as part of efforts to attract more business to these shores. That’s one vital aspect of what they are paid to do and it is absolutely necessary if Northern Ireland is to exploit new markets, attract investment and create more jobs.”
“We could do with growing up a little in our attitude to these trips, whether it’s the media’s portrayal of trade delegations as ‘junkets’ or the public’s response. Our economy relies upon increasing our efforts to trade with the world, whether it’s by exporting more goods and services to other countries or attracting inward investment. In Brazil, India, China or other important territories, the presence of senior politicians and others can make a real difference when it comes to clinching deals. Sometimes we need to take a step back from populist headlines, or knee-jerk responses, and have a more mature look at why it’s important to promote Northern Ireland abroad.”