More than 40 senior executives from Northern Ireland construction companies have been helped by Invest NI to study how new building techniques and products could help them in addressing current economic challenges.

The companies have taken part in a series of initiatives focusing on opportunities for sustainable products and services.

Delegates also visited Building Research Establishment's (BRE) Innovation Park in Watford, as part of 'Construct for Growth'.

The pilot programme was introduced by Invest NI's North West Regional Office in Londonderry.

The programme was designed to assist companies in identifying new opportunities within the construction industry and advise on the best way to exploit options.

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Invest NI's Des Gartland said: "Our aim in organising the initiative was to encourage and assist companies supplying the construction industry to see how the latest technologies could help them to both maintain existing business and to develop new opportunities.

"BRE is an acknowledged knowledge centre for the latest building technology, especially in terms of the type of products and services that meet current requirements and trends in sustainability.

"Briefings and exhibits at BRE enabled them to access the potential in key areas such as sustainable design, energy efficiency and renewable energy conservation, and the environmental impact of construction," he added.

The companies were also briefed on developing opportunities by senior representatives from international construction and building businesses such as Carillion Plc and Kingspan Century Homes.

Invest NI has made specialist business advisors available to participants of the £5m programme.

Invest NI client companies are able to receive up to five days free on-site support to identify specific projects up to the value of £100,000 each in areas such as financial and cash flow management; improving supply chain and internal efficiencies; or removing barriers to securing sales in new markets.

Invest NI funding will contribute 50% of the cost of approved projects.

(PR/JM)