Up to 16,000 jobs could be created in three years by boosting Northern Ireland businesses, the SDLP claimed today.
Renegotiating the budget, creating an economy department and public sector reform were among priorities outlined in the party‘s manifesto.
Encouraging greater inward investment and taking powers to vary tax were also included in the 51-page document.
The jobs would be produced by properly financing the Green New Deal, doubling tourism revenue and promoting continued growth in the technology sector as well as diverting spending to “shovel-ready” building projects.
Party leader Margaret Ritchie told the Belfast meeting: “If we work on uniting people we can build a shared society that is peaceful, healthy and at ease with itself in one community, which embraces different traditions.
“We must never lose sight of that prize.
“If we work to build prosperity we can develop a modern, dynamic economy that
provides employment and opportunity for all.
“We will have to invest heavily in the education and training of young people and we will have to follow a bold economic strategy in the short, medium and long-term.”
The proposals for almost 16,000 new jobs in three years included:
- Properly financing the Green New Deal to create 7,000 jobs
- Investing in the agri-food sector to create 3,300 direct and supplier jobs
- Doubling tourism revenue, creating 2,200 jobs
- Ensuring the continued growth of the ICT (Information and Communications Technology) sector with 2,000 extra posts
- Diverting capital spend to building projects which are ready to proceed, including social housing, making 1,500 jobs.
The manifesto pledged to cut the number of Assembly members from 108 to 96 by the time of the next election, with a further reduction negotiable after 2015.
It also called for a fall in the number of departments and ministers, with a matching number of Assembly committees.
Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister should also be reformed to reduce its functions and change the titles to Joint First Minister.
The SDLP will also continue to oppose any increase in university tuition fees.
The party said there should be a properly functioning victims‘ forum and reform of government to prioritise capital spending on roads, transport and other services.
Ms Ritchie said: “The central issue in this election is who has got the ideas and track record and is therefore best-placed to deliver on uniting people and building prosperity?
“I believe it is undoubtedly the SDLP and I think many people know this to be the case.”
PA