OREANDA-NEWS. Northern Ireland firms should be at the leading edge of the UK-wide effort to make a success of leaving the EU, Northern Ireland Office minister Andrew Dunlop will say today as he begins a two-day visit to Belfast and the North West.

The recently appointed Northern Ireland Office minister will meet businesses, research institutions, political leaders and community groups as part of the UK government’s ongoing programme of engagement with key sectors in Northern Ireland.

Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Andrew Dunlop said:

This is a moment of opportunity for businesses across Northern Ireland as we prepare to make a success of leaving the EU.

Fifty five thousand more people in Northern Ireland are in work than in 2010 and 8,770 new jobs were created in the last year. We can build on that foundation by working together, the UK government, the Executive and business, to boost skills and open up new markets to drive greater prosperity here. I will be listening carefully to Northern Ireland businesses and their representatives about plans and priorities and stating clearly that the UK government is on their side.