With the current political climate Northern Ireland is the fastest-growing regional economy in the UK. GDP had the largest increase between 1990 and 1999 of all the UK regions. The Economy has performed exceptionally well with unemployment levels at a 25-year low. We have also seen record employment levels and a growth in manufacturing output, well above the UK level.
 
Similarly manufacturing output increased by 34.5% over the past five years while figures for the UK show an increase of only 3.6%. The growth of Craigavon has accommodated this expansion, paving its achievement as the largest concentration of manufacturing employment outside Belfast with 11,647 jobs. Manufacturing accounts for 10.7% of the 2110 VAT registered businesses within the borough.

This has been achieved due to Northern Ireland's position as part of the United Kingdom with its pro-business tax regime. It is therefore one of the most attractive and profitable locations in Europe for investors. www.investni.com can advise of incentives available to businesses wishing to locate in Craigavon while www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk can provide information relating to tax relief for R&D, etc.

Craigavon's location and infrastructure have been central to attracting new industry into the area. It is ideally situated, 27 miles south west of Belfast on the M1 and is serviced by two rail stations on the Belfast-Dublin rail route.

Infrastructure	Location	Distance (Miles)
Airports	Belfast International	26
	Belfast City	30
	Londonderry / Derry	81
Ports	Belfast	28
	Warrenpoint	30
	Larne	48
Settlements	Armagh City	12
	Belfast City	26
	Lisburn City	15
	Derry / Londonderry City	103
	Newry City	26
	Dublin City	86

Agriculture still plays an important role in the economy of the area with 687 farmers being located in the Borough. Craigavon also has a wide spectrum of businesses relating to retail, textiles, construction, pharmaceutical, services, hotels and IT & Electronics. The Borough is also home to one of the largest food sectors in Northern Ireland. There are approximately 80 food related companies, including Avondale Foods (providers to McDonalds Restaurants), Golden Cow Diaries Ltd., Henry Denny & Sons (NI) Ltd., W. D. Irwin & Sons Ltd. and Moypark Ltd.

Settlements within the Borough consist of a substantial number of small independent retailers, attracting shoppers from a large catchment area. Craigavon's central location means that the catchment boundary extends as far as Enniskillen and Monaghan.
Craigavon also boasts a large Public Sector employment base including Government Departments such as the Inland Revenue, the Water Service, DOE and the Planning Division.

A breakdown of employment within the Borough (2001 Census) is described below:

All persons: 32993
A,B. Agriculture, hunting, forestry and fishing: 687
C,E. Mining and quarrying, electricity, gas and water supply: 295
D. Manufacturing: 7672
F. Construction: 2692
G. Wholesale and retail trade, repairs: 5853
H. Hotels and restaurants: 1360
I. Transport, storage and communications: 1643
J. Financial intermediaries: 744
K. Real estate, renting and business activities: 2244
L. Public administration and defence, social security: 2625
M. Education: 2412
N. Health and social work: 3605
O, P, Q. Other: 1161

For further information on Business in Craigavon please contact the Economic Development Unit or refer to the 'Support/Resources' section