Northern Ireland's newly appointed enterprise minister has discussed her economic vision for the Province, with an emphasis on sustainable energies.

Arlene Foster, who switched her environment portfolio to preside over the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment in a ministerial reshuffle this week, said Northern Ireland is a globally recognised region for international development.

The minister highlighted the importance of sustainable energies in increasing NI competitiveness: "Security of energy supplies, the increasing use of renewable energy sources and the cost of energy are also major issues as we go forward. The priority is to encourage a more competitive and sustainable energy industry.

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"The Single Electricity Market provides a framework for a new wholesale market in line with the EU vision for regional electricity markets. The ongoing challenge will be to ensure that it promotes the interests of consumers by enabling greater competition, while also securing a diverse, viable and environmentally sustainable long term energy supply."

Discussing other remit areas encompassed her new department Mrs Foster said: "There is huge potential to grow our tourism industry. I will be working hard to help deliver on the stretching tourism targets set in the Programme for Government."

"Telecommunications are also vital to strengthening our economy. Working closely with the private sector, government will seek to offer an enhanced telecoms infrastructure to improve the competitiveness of local businesses and to attract internationally mobile investment in the high technology and tradable services sectors," added the minister.

Mrs Foster said her department recognises the global economic challenges facing the Province at present: "We are undoubtedly facing very challenging global economic conditions, in the short term at least. But Northern Ireland now has a stable devolved government, determined to lead the region through testing economic times to a better, more prosperous future."

(PR/JM)