To ask the Minister for the Economy for an update on the work of the Northern Ireland Export Forum in developing an action plan to achieve economic transformation through maximising external sales.

The Export Forum was established in April 2023 and meets on a regular basis. It brings together the main providers of export advice services in the North – those working directly with the small businesses and entrepreneurs who represent the backbone of our economy. An important objective for the Forum is to facilitate greater collaboration and communication between service providers, for the benefit of businesses. Good progress is being made in that regard.

The Forum is also engaged in the outworking of the strategic actions within the Independent Review of Invest NI Action Plan, as they relate to internationalisation and export support.