Half of all new foreign direct investment jobs set up with the help of Invest NI should go to Derry, the local chamber of commerce has said.
Londonderry Chamber of Commerce made the call in its response to a review that found Invest NI's regional offices need a "more strategic role".
The independent review, chaired by Sir Michael Lyons and published in January, also called for a re-examination of the "resources and powers" allocated to the regional offices.
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In its first official response to the review, the Chamber of Commerce set out five key recommendations - including a call for "50% of FDI [foreign direct investment] to be located in the North West city region" and "50% of total NI job creation to North West city region".
Londonderry Chamber is also calling for a "fully resourced" Invest NI office in the city, with "more senior" FDI staff, and for a specific strategy to work with agencies in the Republic of Ireland in light of the "unique cross-border nature" of the city.
In a statement, chamber president Selina Horshi said: “The Independent Review of Invest Northern Ireland revealed some deeply concerning findings, impacting its ability to attract inward investment and support indigenous start-ups.
"We welcomed the report’s acknowledgment that more should be done to promote Northern Ireland on a sub-regional basis and to strengthen and bolster sub-regional Invest NI offices and we were pleased that one of the review’s key findings is that the agency must be a better partner on a sub-regional level."
She continued: “The recommendations we have set out follow deep consultation with members, Derry City and Strabane District Council, local businesses, and our board of directors. If implemented, they will ensure that Invest NI properly prioritises the North West, bringing the jobs and investment to our region which will deliver prosperity, economic growth, and regional balance. These are workable and practical objectives which will really deliver for our business community and we will work closely with Invest NI and the Department for the Economy to make them a reality."
The chamber president added: “Invest NI still has a vital role to play in both attracting investment from around the world as well as supporting our own local start-ups. However, to ensure fair and equitable delivery for the North West, the organisation must enhance its commitment to our region and improve on how it has done things in the past.”
A spokesperson said Londonderry Chamber has "written to the senior leadership at Invest NI as well as the Permanent Secretary in the Department for the Economy outlining these recommendations and requesting an update on the implementation of the independent report’s recommendations."
Belfast Live has approached Invest NI for comment.
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