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In mid-August CBI NI published a short policy paper drawing on our major survey of members’ experiences of the public procurement process. The key recommendations focus on the opportunity to improve value for money, and to ensure Northern Ireland maximises the economic development potential from this ‘sector’ in helping companies access UK, ROI and European markets. The policy paper identifies a number of recommendations based around three themes: reducing bidding costs, government becoming a world-class client, and improvements in information provision. A lobbying strategy has been developed and a series of meetings with government agencies is underway. Click here to access the report (pdf 168 kb). Policy contact Chris Lundy.

Energy remains high on CBI agenda

Further engagement with the Energy Regulator took place over the summer to discuss the key issues identified in the recent CBI NI policy paper (Click here to read the paper (pdf 108kb)) Link to NI 08 08 – a formal response to this paper is expected by the end of August. The meeting gave members an opportunity to highlight the lack of real competition in the market place. Disappointingly, the Regulator has made no progress on the review of PSO charges, though this has now been promised. Separately, the Regulator (NIAUR) has published a consultation paper on key issues on the development of its five-year corporate strategy – CBI members will have an opportunity to discuss this at a working lunch on 9 September. Contact Sarah Smart if you wish to join us. Policy contact Nigel Smyth.

Tourist board’s draft corporate plan 2008-2011

The tourism sector offers significant growth opportunities for the Northern Ireland economy, yet it is a very fragmented sector with several government departments and local councils all having a role to play in its development. Our response to the NITB’s draft corporate plan (Click here to read the report (pdf 122kb)) emphasised the importance of the identification of clear roles and responsibilities for all the key stakeholders (and ensuring that these are effectively communicated), a greater focus on those priorities for which NITB has direct responsibility with more time-specific deliverables, and more ambitious targets for the ROI market. Policy contact Nigel Smyth.

Civic Forum review

We are currently collecting member views as it prepares a submission to this consultation. As the social and economic environment in Northern Ireland has changed since the Civic Forum first met in October 2000, a comprehensive review has been commissioned to make recommendations on the most appropriate mechanism and arrangements for engaging with and obtaining the views of civic society on social, economic and cultural matters and in ensuring accountable and inclusive participation by society. Policy contact Nigel Smyth.

Annual Lunch

Our Annual Lunch takes place on Wednesday 24 September. It is generously sponsored by the Bank of Ireland, and will be held in Belfast's Culloden Hotel at 12:00 noon. To provisionally reserve places please contact Sarah Smart. Early booking is advisable.

Implications of extending holiday entitlement

The CBI is closely involved with initial consultations by the Department for Employment and Learning on extending holiday entitlement to 30 days. While we succeeded last year in keeping Northern Ireland in line with the rest of the UK, the Northern Ireland Executive did commit to further consultation on the extra two days as originally promised by the previous Secretary of State. It is important that we base our evidence on the negative impact of moving to 30 days (which we estimate will cost NI employers around £40m a year). If your holiday entitlement (holidays plus bank holidays) is less than 30 days please contact Deirdre Stewart as soon as possible.