Addressing around 130 attendees at the annual dinner of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) held in Belfast Castle, Mr Donaldson said that the Executive was on course for steering the Northern Ireland economy out of recession.
He said: “Used intelligently, our local public expenditure can provide support and stimulus to local markets, business and people. The Programme for Government, Budget and Investment Strategy are the key pillars on which we will build our plans and tactics for weathering the economic crisis.
“The Northern Ireland economy can weather the storm and achieve sustainable economic growth in the longer term when we eventually emerge from the current downturn.”
Mr Donaldson also commented on CIMA’s impressive history and the role that they could play in an economic recovery.
He said: “Among professional accounting bodies, CIMA has the largest proportion of members working in business, nearly 98%. This is an impressive history and CIMA should be well placed to help lift us out of the mire that a recession can cause in a small open economy such as Northern Ireland's.”
Notes to Editors:
All media enquires to OFMDFM Press Office, tel: 028 9052 1840. Out of office hours, contact the Deputy Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440, and your call will be returned.
