Belfast today is full of ambition, optimism and – above all – energy. A city on the rise, Belfast is proud of its ever expanding global outlook which boasts a young, talented workforce, a Foreign Direct Investment hub and a thriving cultural scene. It has global visibility and international goodwill, and Belfast is known as a welcoming and surprising city. Belfast’s knowledge economy is growing and has a higher level of concentration than the UK average – 7.1 per cent compared to 5.6 per cent.

This document was presented to key figures including the Northern Ireland Secretary of State at a cross-party event in Parliament. It outlines the need for a Belfast Growth deal as key to capturing the city’s significant potential; transforming public services, delivering economic growth and closing the gap on inequality – not just for the City Region, but for Northern Ireland as a whole.