A BLUEPRINT for a new Northern Ireland economy which envisages a vibrant private sector, a highly-skilled workforce and a flourishing tourist industry has been published by a group of business leaders.

The Institute of Directors (IOD) says it has identified the issues which the North must address if it is to secure greater prosperity for its population of 1.7 million people over the next 10 years.

It says one of the first priorities is to reform the public sector and reverse the current balance (60:40) of contribution to GDP and employment between the private and public sectors.

The Institute of Directors' blueprint also calls for a major up-skilling programme in the North and a policy which would encourage students to study subjects that meet the needs of indigenous and inward investors.

The business leaders group suggests that up to 140,000 new jobs need to be created in Northern Ireland over the next decade if the economy is to grow.

The IOD believes that the North's Government must put pressure on the British Treasury to find a way to help Northern Ireland create these jobs.

IOne industry which the IOD believes could deliver new jobs is tourism.

But it says in order to achieve this Northern Ireland must target appropriate markets and invest in the infrastructure and skills which will help attract new tourists.

If the North can do this it could according to the IOD help boost the revenue contribution from tourism by at least 40 per cent to £520 million by 2011.

Frank Bryan, the IOD's chairman says the North has got to play to its strengths and become a place envied for its pro-business environment.

He is calling on the Government to identifying what the IOD terms as a "Champion for the Economy".

Mr Bryan says this needs to be someone with an "over-arching, cross-departmental responsibility" who can make things happen.