3rd November 1998

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A partnership aimed at boosting Northern Ireland's local life and health technologies sector was launched this morning by the Minister, Adam Ingram.

Speaking at the launch of The Life and Health Technologies Partnership, the Minister said: "The local health technologies sector is a growing and important one within the Northern Ireland economy, employing around 3,000 people in companies with an annual turnover in excess of £170 million.

"More significantly, there are real opportunities out there waiting to be seized - worldwide market in this sector is in excess of $500 billion and growing at a rate of up to 6% each year.

'The challenge for everyone involved is to find the ways and means of meeting the demands of customers whose expectations and demands for a better quality of life are increasing every day.

"That is where the Partnership comes in. It will give local companies the chance to learn from one another, to exchange views and experiences, to plan ahead, and that is especially relevant when it comes to technology transfer.

"Getting the technology transferred from the research and development department into the production environment is crucial, whether it be in-house or from our universities and academia into industry.

"In short, by working and networking together, the local health technologies sector will become stronger and better placed to take advantages of the opportunities that exist.

"I believe the Partnership can help make a real difference, not just to the economy, but to the quality of the lives and health of people throughout the world."

The Life and Health Technologies Partnership, is a joint initiative involving the University of Ulster, Queen's University and the Northern Ireland Growth Challenge.

Endorsing the Minister's remarks, Professor Gerry McKenna, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for research at the University of Ulster welcomed the establishment of the Partnership.

He said: "Northern Ireland, with the research in its universities and in the Health Service and with its supply of quality graduates, is ideally placed to make an important contribution in the development of the life and health technology sector, not just here, but in world terms. The Partnership aims to help make that happen and has a real and meaningful role to play in the development of the Northern Ireland economy."

In simple terms, the health technology sector includes companies involved in producing items such as medical devices, diagnostic kits, medica1 packaging etc.

For further information, please contact:

Press Office Department of Communication and Development
Telephone: 028 9036 6178
Email: pressoffice@ulster.ac.uk