Press Release

Mayor highlights importance of Entrepreneurship in shaping local economy

Thursday, November 23, 2006

The Mayor Councillor Helen Quigley has highlighted the importance of entrepreneurship in assisting to shape and grow the local economy.

Speaking ahead of the Londonderry Chamber of Commerce’s annual conference, which takes place today, Thursday 23rd November in the City Hotel, the Mayor said that Derry City Council was committed to supporting and encouraging entrepreneurship activity in the region.

Derry City Council, along with Intertrade Ireland, Invest NI and PWC are funding the conference, which will attract a wide range of all Ireland speakers including the 2005 Irish Entrepreneur of the Year and the founder of the Argento contemporary jewellery business. Council’s funding has been secured under the Peace II Measure 4.1, Outward and Forward Looking Region Programme.

The Mayor said the Conference was a unique opportunity to showcase the city as place to set up business. “Derry is a city that is forward and outward looking and ready for business. The Council is committed to working with the relevant agencies to encourage growth in the private sector and to balance this provision with employment in the public sector. We believe that events such as this will greatly assist in that process and make more companies aware of the need to be more forward thinking.”

The Mayor said the enabling and empowering of potential entrepreneurs is essential if we are to develop the North West region.

“Derry City Council is working closely with Ilex, DSD and other Government departments in producing a single framework for regional regeneration. We in the region have a successful track record attracting and retaining investment here. As we move forward it is essential that we continue this effort and were necessary address any skills gap in relation to knowledge-based industries and in the cultural tourism sector both at third level and beyond. It is imperative that through joint partnership we can work to ensure the skills development priorities for this area strongly reflect the agreed consensus on the priority areas for regeneration. This will provide a positive platform of knowledge and skills to assist our forward thinking entrepreneurs of the future. It will also reinforces a commitment to work closely with existing and new employers to design policies and associated training packages.”

Business clinics, which will offer advice and assistance on how to get started in business as well as expand and operate in the EU, will also be held as part of the Conference.

Anne Marie Slavin, President of the Chamber of Commerce said: “We are delighted to have the support of Derry City Council for this event. It allows us to showcase the city and region as being forward and outward looking. The fact that such high profile speakers are coming along to share their expertise is a fantastic endorsement of the city. With participants confirmed from all across the island, this is proof that this sort of activity really works to bring businesses together.”

Janice Tracey, Chief Executive of Chamber of Commerce said: “The event is also acting as a catalyst for encouraging our links with other EU and emerging EU countries. We have a number of guests joining us for the two-day event from Poland and Spain and will be building on existing links and forging new relationships. Whilst the conference gives them a reason for visiting, we hope to maximise on this opportunity by arranging a number of focused meetings between potential partners.”

Ends

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