Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster recognised the positive impact businesses have on Northern Ireland society, at the Business in the Community annual awards.Business in the Community, (BitC) seeks to help business become socially responsible and it supports companies by developing campaigns and programmes focused on the environment, the workplace, and social and economic impacts.The Minister congratulated the winners at the fourth annual BitC awards in the Waterfront Hall and said: “By adopting socially and environmentally responsible behaviour, businesses can make a significant contribution to boosting wealth creation and employment, fostering social justice and protecting the environment.“Corporate Social Responsibility should be on the agenda of every company and the BitC awards are evidence that this is increasingly the case in Northern Ireland.â€Commenting on the economy Arlene Foster said: “In the current global economic downturn the Executive is working to support businesses in Northern Ireland. The £15million Short Term Aid Scheme that I announced last month will help viable companies that are experiencing short term pressure to prepare for the upturn when it comes.Arlene Foster recognised the important work of BitC and concluded: “BitC, not only, contributes directly towards achieving economic growth, our top priority in the Programme for Government but also towards the promotion of tolerance, inclusion and well being, as well as the protection and enhancement of our environment and natural resources.â€