Young entrepreneurs could make a positive contribution to the growth of the small business sector and the Northern Ireland economy, the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Sir Reg Empey, has said. Speaking at the launch of Shell LiveWIRE's Millennium Business Start-up Awards, Sir Reg said business-minded young people and their ideas needed to be "nurtured, protected and stimulated". "LiveWIRE is a support mechanism for young people wishing to start their own business. "It must be remembered that what may be a small business today can, with support, grow and develop into a much larger enterprise."