Top Economists Belfast Bound

Ireland's Minister for Europe and one of the province's leading banking experts will top the bill at an economic conference in Belfast next month.

Minister Dick Roche and Northern Bank’s Chief Economist Angela McGowan have been confirmed as two of the major speakers at the CBI run event.

Northern Ireland public affairs company Stratagem has also backed the talks, which will examine how small countries are dealing with the economic downturn.

Delegates will also hear from Thoranna Jónsdóttir, co-founder of Audur Capital in Iceland.

The people at Audur Capital flagged up the unsustainability of Iceland's financial model before the global economic crash which affected that country perhaps more than any other.

CBI NI Director Nigel Smyth said the organisers are delighted to have assembled such a high calibre panel.

"These experts will be able to share with us their experiences and views on how small countries are dealing with the global economic downturn," he said.

Quintin Oliver of Stratagem added: "The CBI/ Stratagem annual economic conference has become a staple of Northern Ireland’s business calendar, and this year we have been able to bring together some of Europe’s foremost experts from the worlds of politics and economics to discuss the most pressing issue facing us all."

Also speaking at the conference at the Europa Hotel will be Stormont Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster, Scottish counterpart Jim Mather and Westminster Treasury Committee member Sally Keeble.

There will also be a major speaker from the Office of First Minister and deputy First Minister.

Pictured launching the event are Nigel Smyth of the CBI, Quintin Oliver of Stratagem and Angela McGowan of Northern Bank.

(PR/GK)