03/07/2012

Belfast To Host Major Trade Conference

Belfast is to host a major international business conference aimed at improving trade with India.

The annual Global India Business Forum brings together more than 350 chief executives from major Indian companies to meet with their European counterparts and examine the potential for trade development and investment between the two regions.

Belfast City Council's Development Committee will join Invest NI to host the event here next April.

The committee's chairman, Alderman Christopher Stalford, said: "India is one of the emerging global market opportunities – one of the few economies that is actually growing in the current climate. Belfast already has strong links with India, through local companies doing business there and Indian companies also setting up operations here, and the potential for further development is huge."

Alderman Stalford said more than £13m was spent on trade between India and the UK in 2010 , and it was "vital" that Belfast use those opportunities.

The most recent Global India Business Forum was held in Antwerp just last week, and previous events have been held in Munich, Madrid and Naples.

Meanwhile, Belfast also is bidding to host the prestigious Indie Gaming Developers' competition this September. This annual event showcases some of the most innovative and interesting new game ideas from unknown talent around the world, and, if Belfast's bid is successful, will bring more than 250 delegates to the city over its three days. It also will provide an opportunity for local companies to network and pitch to key figures in the international gaming industry.

(NE/GK)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

24 June 2013
Foster Welcomes Indian Business Leaders To The City
Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has said boosting trade with India and other emerging economies offers local businesses a new raft of opportunities.
22 January 2013
Heavy Snow Closes Over 80 Schools
Over 80 schools across Northern Ireland have been closed as the heavy snow continues to cause disruption on Tuesday morning. The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning, as the snow is continuing to affect many roads. Areas which have been majorly disrupted include Lisburn, Castlereagh and Carryduff.
06 May 2022
Belfast Harbour Announce Programme Of Anniversary Events
Belfast Harbour has launched a programme of celebratory events to mark the landmark 175th anniversary year of Belfast Harbour Commissioners.
21 October 2024
Belfast Named Most Sustainable Visitor Destination In UK And Ireland
Belfast has been recognised as the most sustainable visitor destination in the United Kingdom and Ireland in the 2024 GDS-Index. The city ranked alongside global cities such as Sydney, Singapore, Oslo, and Copenhagen in the Top 10.
28 April 2022
Tourism Growth Expected To Hit £97m
Visit Belfast has raised its growth target for 2022, promising an economic return for Belfast of £97m Belfast's tourism sector expects to see further growth this year, buoyed by a steady and sustained rise in consumer and business optimism from the city key tourism sectors – business events, city breaks and cruise, according to the city region's de