James Nesbitt Calls On Global Leaders To Invest In Belfast

Actor James Nesbitt has said that Belfast should be at the top of the list of any visionary civic, economic and business leader looking for great places to invest.

The actor, who is famous for promoting his home country and its capital city at every opportunity, was speaking via video message to an audience of global investors attending the renowned MIPIM investment event in Cannes last week.

Almost 30 companies are part of the Belfast City Council led delegation at the event, which is attended by more than 20,000 delegates from almost 200 cities.

The popularity of Belfast was reflected in the high turn-out of property and development investors who visited the Belfast stand this week and attended a St Patrick's Day celebration during which they heard Nesbitt's heartfelt promotion of the city.

Mr Nesbitt said: "I am a great believer in the role of cities in developing local, regional, national and global economies and I couldn't be more supportive of Belfast and its investment initiative.

"Belfast, of course, is a great city of talent and now is the time to reveal that talent to the rest of the world and display the true greatness of the city.

"As Chancellor of Ulster University, I am particular proud of the development of the new city centre Ulster University Belfast Campus and its role in acting as a catalyst for so many other major developments in the city. 

"I am also most proud of the quality of our students - and not just those from Ulster University – as Northern Irish students consistently outperform other UK regions at GCSE and A level. 

He added: "Belfast is a city with ambition and a city full of young, exciting and energetic talent. These are people that you want in your business – young, smart and driven.

"With an abundance of highly educated and committed graduates and a hugely experienced and skilled workforce, it would really be an opportunity missed for visionary civic, economic and business leaders not to consider Belfast as a great place for investment. 

"Whatever your business or industry, the demand is there and Belfast is happening – it is an opportunity not to be missed!"

Mr Nesbitt also paid tribute to the people.

"Unless you know the people the way I do, you cannot possibly understand the passion, the tenacity, the warmth and the hospitality of the people of this great city," he said. 

"The ambition energy vision and passion in Belfast is absolutely inspiring and something that needs to be experienced to be understood.

"It is easy for me to say that Belfast is one of the best and most beautiful things in the world but you have got to get over there and experience just what is happening for yourselves - the growth in expertise in film, media and other arts and creative industries, the cutting edge advances in the technology sectors as Belfast establishes its strengths as a smart city and in the increasingly energetic and innovative business community.

"This is a city with passion, with momentum, it's a city with an incredible future ahead of it and I am proud to be able to support the great team that you are meeting from Belfast this week."

(MH)