There has been a broad welcome for a successful partnership approach that has been built up between a Stormont department and the construction industry.

NI Finance Minister Nigel Dodds was speaking as he revealed that the Construction Industry Group - which comprises representatives of the construction industry - now regularly receives up-to-date information on all major infrastructure projects about to go to the market.

Recently, the sector was alerted to over 60 projects valued at over £400million.

The roll-out of these projects illustrates the Executive's continued commitment to effective delivery of its Investment Strategy and the partnership approach enables local firms to plan their workload to avail of the many opportunities available.

Commenting on the procurement opportunities available to local firms, Minister Dodds said: "Central Procurement Directorate, on behalf of departments, has provided construction industry representatives with a comprehensive list of projects that will be advertised during the next three months or those already at various stages of the procurement process.

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"This list contained some 60 projects with an aggregated value in excess of £400million.

"Projects where the procurement process has recently commenced include preparatory enabling work for the new local hospital in Omagh worth £4million; Magherafelt High School worth £11million and a £3million contract for the refurbishment of the Gatehouse at Crumlin Road Gaol," he said.

An additional £600million procurement project for the new A5 Western Transport Corridor has also recently been advertised.

Other new projects coming to the market place during the period April to June 2009 include a £3million contract for Cairnshill Park and Ride, Newtownbreda and 37 separate Roads Service Term Contracts for Environmental Management and Maintenance worth approximately £19million per annum.

The Minister continued: "During the 08/09 financial year alone, it is expected that government capital investment will be in the order of £1.5billion. This compares with £676million five years ago.

"This is a dramatic increase in expenditure which has only been achievable by the devolved administration recognising the importance of capital investment in infrastructure and working with the construction industry to deliver.

"I would therefore urge Northern Ireland companies to maximise the opportunities available to them by bidding for these contracts to benefit from this record spend."

(BMcC/JM)