Also announced by Manufacturing Northern Ireland in celebrating of the innovation and effort behind the best products in the region is the inaugural Made in Northern Ireland Awards.

The awards are designed to highlight the huge level of manufacturing going on across the NI and its importance to the economy.

The Made In Northern Ireland Awards will take place at the Ramada Hotel, Belfast on Thursday, May 21 honouring firms that continue to develop and grow in areas as diverse as quarrying and materials handling to aerospace and scientific instruments.

Manufacturing Northern Ireland News Letter business correspondent Richard Sherriff said: “The Made In Northern Ireland Awards will give local businesses that make and produce products or services locally the opportunity to be recognised for the valuable contribution they make from their base in Northern Ireland to industry on the local, national and international business stages.

“Some people have the impression that little or nothing is made here any longer and yet that could not be further from the truth.”

As the Province emerges from recession, he said developments such as the lowering of corporation tax presented greater opportunities for industry to develop and grow.

“In almost every arena, from electronics to agriculture, health and pharmaceuticals to IT and engineering, Northern Ireland is a vital force in global terms.

“We want to shout about those firms that keep Northern Ireland punching well above its weight as it has done for so many years.”

Further award details available from Karen Fitzmaurice karen.fitzmaurice@jpress.co.uk or Julie Forde julie.forde@jpress.co.uk , or call 028 3839 5564/5504.