New £5million state of the art office space in Ebrington can make it an economic hub

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First Minister, the Rt. Hon. Arlene Foster and the deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness today provided details of their plans to construct high quality office accommodation for Ebrington.

invest in derryFirst Minister, the Rt. Hon. Arlene Foster and the deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness today provided details of their plans to construct high quality office accommodation for Ebrington. The Department of Finance approved the Executive Office business case for the development of modern, high quality, high specification, Grade A office accommodation on Ebrington.

The new 62,000 sq ft office which the Executive Office is backing by investing up to £5 million will be built above the existing underground car park on Ebrington on what is already established as a landmark site for the City. First Minister, Arlene Foster said: “This is a great opportunity for the Northern Ireland Executive to provide practical support for the business community and the North West. Developing high specification office space on a key site in Londonderry will allow potential investors to now consider the North West as a viable option. We want to create more and better jobs for the people of Northern Ireland and we must ensure the correct infrastructure is in place.

 

An artist's impression of what the office space could look like.

An artist’s impression of what the office space could look like.

The deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness said: “This new Grade ‘A’ office space which could cater for up to 500 people will enable the Ebrington site to become an economic hub for job creation and economic generation. “The new premium office space will not only create and sustain jobs in the construction phase but is an incentive for potential investors to locate here. Quality accommodation will help us in our drive to attract investment to the North West and creating a ‘pro-business’ environment and jobs for our people.”

Source: The Executive Office News

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Hamilton welcomes continued export success in Northern Ireland

Economy Minister, Simon Hamilton MLA, has welcomed a continued increase in the strong export performance of Northern Ireland companies in today’s HMRC export data.

Commenting on the results, Minister Hamilton stated: “These latest results from the HMRC which show a 6% increase on a rolling 12 month period is extremely welcome. This is particularly encouraging, given that once again we are the leading region of the UK in terms of export growth and with only marginal growth of 0.2% across the UK as a whole being reported.

“I commend our local businesses as they have embraced the Executive’s focus on exports by expanding into new markets and developing existing relationships further. I am convinced that this continued export performance demonstrates that we are on the right path to establishing Northern Ireland as a truly globally competitive economy.

“I want to build on this firm foundation of strong export performance and that is why I recently launched the Trade Accelerator and a new International Trade Plan, both of which will help exporters take full advantage of opportunities in external markets.”

Source: Invest NI News

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North West in strong place to respond to Brexit

Over 150 people attended today’s Driving Growth in the North West conference in An Grianan Hotel, Burt to consider the region’s response to the challenges and opportunities of Brexit.

Speaking at the conference, Dr Frances Ruane urged the North West region to have a ‘no regrets‘approach when it comes to responding to the Brexit challenges.

Dr Ruane, who is a former Director of the Economic and Social Research Institute, said: ‘I am very impressed by what the North West region is doing and how well it is set up. All macro economics is ultimately micro and the North West region should do all they can at this point in time to realise their vision for the North West City region, irrespective of Brexit. ‘

Donegal County Council’s Cathaoirleach Cllr Terence Slowey in his opening address said: “Our region is at last beginning to get its just recognition whether it’s the many attributes and successes of the city or indeed my own Donegal being named last week by National Geographical on The Cool List of 17 of 2017.

“We are looking forward to a hugely successful year for tourism in the north west and today’s conference will help us realise this potential.’

(Photo - Tom Heaney, nwpresspics)

(Photo – Tom Heaney, nwpresspics)

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council Alderman Hilary McClintock, referring to the recent joint trade delegation to Boston said: “the visit and the outcomes from it served as a very strong signal of the potential that exists in the north west region at this time. Our region has very ambitious and resilient businesses. It has excellent colleges and a university who work hard to ensure that the skills needed are being developed at this important time.’

Setting the scene for the conference both Chief Executives of Donegal County Council and Derry City and Strabane District Council outlined the new and innovative working arrangements that allow both Councils to work collaboratively and to engage in a meaningful way with Central Government on both sides of the border.

Loretta McNicholas from Donegal County Council and Michael Gallagher from Derry City and Strabane District Council outlined the findings of a Scoping Exercise undertaken recently to provide the local context for the challenges and opportunities that Brexit presents.

The conference also heard from Dr Katy Hayward from Queen’s University of Belfast on the impact of Brexit on the free movement of people across our border and made a number of suggestions of innovative arrangements and solutions that could be considered for this region.

Ulster University’s Dr Eoin Magennis said he believes that the border can act as a bridge for opportunities and that the North West region is unique because of its travel to work areas that are not replicated in other parts of the island.

He urged both Councils to continue with their collaborative approach and referred to tomorrow’s inaugural meeting of the North West Strategic Growth Partnership, which will see senior government officials from north and south, meeting with both Councils to agree strategic growth priorities for the region.

The conference concluded with a panel discussion that engaged audience members along with contributions from chambers of commerce together with business representatives from both sides of the border and representation from organisations against Brexit.

In his closing address Seamus Neely, Donegal County Council Chief Executive thanked those who attended and said that this is only the beginning of the conversation.

Mr Neely said: “Today’s speakers have provided us with food for thought that will help us continue to develop our views and thoughts that will allow us to develop a collective response to the challenges and opportunities presented by Brexit for this region.”

Source: Donegal Daily

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