SDLP Foyle MLA Sinead McLaughlin
She made the call in the wake of the announcement by its chief executive Kevin Holland that he is to step down after just two years in the job.
The Foyle MLA said Invest NI must work to the explicit remit of rebalancing the North of Ireland economy, so that all regions benefit from growth and job creation.
Said MsMcLaughlin: “I wish Kevin Holland well in his future career. But there can be no disguising the need for Invest NI to take a long hard look at itself and for the economy minister to give it a new remit that includes regional balance in terms of job and wealth creation.
“It is unacceptable that parts of the North are left behind in terms of job creation. This is particularly true now that the benefits of the Protocol are becoming more evident.
“While there have been large numbers of jobs created in and around Belfast with support from Invest NI, this is not the case in Derry and the North West.
“I have today written to economy minister Gordon Lyons to ask him to revise the policy direction he has provided to Invest NI, so that it has a specific objective to promote and support regional economic balance.
“This is the case with Invest NI’s equivalent body in the South, the IDA. I made these same points to the minister and to senior officials of Invest NI when I met them last week.
“This is also a matter to be addressed by the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, given the commitment to regionally balanced economy in New Decade New Approach.
“As such it is one of a number of commitments in New Decade New Approach that I have raised in the Assembly’s Committee for The Executive Office.”
