Empey welcomes Mayor of Denver to Belfast

The visit by Mayor Webb of Denver to Northern Ireland sends a strong ‘open for business’ signal to US companies seeking investment and trade opportunities in the European marketplace.

This is according to Sir Reg Empey, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, who was speaking at a lunch for Mayor Wellington Webb of Denver, Mrs Wilma Webb and a delegation from Denver City Council and its economic development and international trade offices.

Highlighting the significance of the visit, Sir Reg said: "This two-day visit by Mayor Webb and his team to Great Britain and Northern Ireland is an important contribution to efforts to rebuild business confidence in the US and Europe. Such exchanges will play a part in helping to drive the global economy forward again following the devastating terrorist attacks on the US.

“My message to companies is to hold their nerve. Even at this time of uncertainty, there are significant opportunities for entrepreneurs to position their companies for fast growth when the US and European economies rebound.”

Sir Reg added that such contacts would also help to strengthen Northern Ireland's existing business links with Denver and other US industrial and commercial centres.

The delegation was briefed about investment and trade opportunities by Leslie Ross, Chief Executive of the Industrial Development Board, and visited the TeleTech customer contact centre at Duncairn Gardens in Belfast.

The group also visited Hazelwood Integrated School in north Belfast and were taken on a tour of the Laganside in Belfast. (MB)