To ask the Minister for the Economy whether she will set up a dedicated unit within Invest NI to help ensure Northern Ireland maximises opportunities and investment in the local green economy.

Invest NI recognises the increasing significance of the green economy as an emerging driver of future growth and prosperity. In line with DfE’s Economic Recovery Action Plan and as a key strand of my Department’s Energy Strategy Options Consultation, growing the green economy is one of Invest NI’s eight key recovery drivers through which it aims to accelerate progress by industry towards Net Zero by stimulating investment in a green sustainable recovery. To this end, and recognising that there is still much to do to understand the depth & breadth of the opportunities in the green economy it is Invest NI’s aim to review resource allocation in this area.

Currently, Invest NI works with and supports companies active in Clean Technology sectors. They generate c.£1.77bn in annual sales, of which £1.12bn is exported and £500m is sold to GB. In order to stimulate further growth, it has funded 18 company networks through its Collaborative Network Programme to focus on building capability which can be deployed through the green economy and in addition, has a broad portfolio of support schemes that can and will support businesses to capitalise from opportunities in the green economy as they become clearer.