The business expertise provided by LEDCOM has been instrumental in assisting many businesses to achieve success in export markets, according to Economy Minister Simon Hamilton.
The Minister, on a visit to LEDCOM’s Willowbank Business Park, said: “With its history of more than 31 years providing job creation opportunities, support for entrepreneurship and business advice to thousands of people, LEDCOM is well placed to take advantage of our plans to build on our recent export success and encourage more first time exporters.”
Minister Hamilton commended LEDCOM for its economic development work as a social enterprise, “Led by dedicated local voluntary directors, successful organisations like LEDCOM must continue to stimulate innovative business start-ups with growth potential. It is vital to help such businesses gear up for new markets outside Northern Ireland.”
The Minister visited the offices of Globus 3, Raptor Photonics and Martin CSL; three forward-thinking NI companies that have that have chosen to base their operations at Willowbank Business Park, close to the Port of Larne and 20 minutes from Belfast City Centre.
He added: “Such companies are producing high quality goods and services that can compete with the best anywhere in the world. It’s my job to help open doors for our local firms in existing and emerging markets. This is an enterprising region with enterprising people and enterprising businesses and LEDCOM provides an important contribution to this success. This can only happen with a determined focus on business improvement, business growth and continuous development. “
Earlier, LEDCOM Directors held their AGM, an opportunity to reflect on a successful year which saw the company celebrate 30 years as one of Northern Ireland’s pioneering Local Enterprise Agencies.
During 2016, LEDCOM was involved with initiatives and services which supported 1350 people, helping to create 300 new jobs and 57 new businesses and social enterprises through a variety of programmes in the Mid and East Antrim and Antrim and Newtownabbey areas, including Business Start-up advice, Social Entrepreneurship, and Community Engagement and Employability.
LEDCOM Chairman Henry Fletcher said the company was looking to the future and had ambitious plans to extend its operations.
He said: “We are continuing to grow our business services and are working on some exciting announcements in 2017 that will increase opportunities for entrepreneurs.”
Mr Fletcher added: “2016 has been a very successful year in terms of stimulating growth and new jobs but it is important not to be complacent. We believe our plans for the future can help make this area one of the most enterprising in the whole of Northern Ireland.”
For more information about LEDCOM visit www.ledcom.org
