To ask the Minister for the Economy how his Department can encourage local companies to keep their production lines in Northern Ireland rather than offshoring production.

I recognise high operating costs and the lack of skilled labour to aid productivity improvements are some of the challenges facing companies in keeping their production lines in the North of Ireland.

I recently launched an Action Plan to grow the Advanced Manufacturing, Materials and Engineering (AMME) sector in the North of Ireland which contains actions that address these challenges and deliver on my key economic priorities.

The proposed actions will support investment in skills and labour which have a significant impact on productivity, innovation, and supply chain which often lead to offshore production. Also, greater investment in R&D and in innovative, cutting-edge technologies and methods to improve efficiency through the City and Growth Deal investments which provide access to automation, smart design, digital twinning, and artificial intelligence.

The Action Plan also supports Invest NI’s range of assistance which can enhance the sustainability and competitiveness of local operations and production lines. These include interventions designed to maximise local productivity, reduce supply chain risks and costs, leverage opportunities associated with digital transformation and to upskill and reskill existing staff. Invest NI can also help companies to keep their productions lines in the North of Ireland by providing Grant for R&D support for process improvement to aid efficiency of output and energy savings.

The Department and key delivery partners within the Action Plan will continue to work with companies to ensure they have access to the skills, technologies, R&D, the funding and other supports necessary to reduce costs and increase productivity.