In Northern Ireland, smaller businesses employ more people than all large businesses and the entire public sector, combined. That makes it essential for the Northern Ireland Executive to prioritise SMEs at the core of its economic programme and, in particular, to use the power of government to remove barriers to business.
Research conducted by the Ulster Business School for FSB indicates that 80% of micro, small and medium sized enterprises intend to grow their business over the next two years, and it also finds that they make a significant contribution to local economic and social well-being, by employing people locally and contributing to charities, sport and youth activities in their areas. That means smaller businesses are vital to Northern Ireland, so we must have the drivers in place to encourage and facilitate these growth ambitions.