NI Businesses Advocate For Investment At International Conference

More then 100 business leaders from Northern Ireland are set to travel to Cannes, France this week for the MIPIM- the world's largest international property investment conference.

The delegation, including representatives from Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, will present a range of real estate investment and development opportunities to a potential audience of over 28,000 international property investors, developers and occupiers. 

Schemes highlighted by the Council will include the former St Patrick's barracks site in Ballymena, The Gobbins, Carrickfergus, Port of Larne and Glenarm.

The team, comprised of over 40 supporting private and public sector organisations, will host over 15 showcase events across the three days of the conference- each designed to highlight a range of key strengths that underpin the strong investment proposition of the Belfast region. 

Whilst this will be the fourth year running that a group has represented Belfast at MIPIM, it is the first year that the delegation includes representatives from the five councils partnering with Belfast City Council in the Belfast Region City Deal programme of investment. These include Antrim & Newtownabbey, Ards & North Down, Lisburn & Castlereagh and Newry, Mourne & Down District Councils.

Alderman Gregg McKeen from Mid & east Antrum Borough said they welcomed the opportunity to join with its five other partner councils to highlight the opportunities and benefits that the City Deal will bring to the wider Belfast region. 

He commented: "Securing a Belfast Region City Deal- up to £1bn of co-investment-presents a once in a generation opportunity to deliver a decade of inclusive economic growth, create up to 20,000 new and better jobs, increase GVA by £470m per annum and make the region a global investment destination of choice.

"For Mid and East Antrim, this includes the creation of an innovation hub at St Patrick's, and significant investment in Carrickfergus and The Gobbins."

Alderman McKeen concluded: "I have no doubt that MIPIM 2019 will be a really rewarding visit for all involved, and that the collective energies and efforts of the delegation will pay off for Belfast and the surrounding region in the months ahead."

According to Jackie Henry, Chair of the private sector taskforce leading the combined delegation, MIPIM highlights the importance of private and public sector collaboration in attracting investment and building sustainable economic growth in Northern Ireland. 

"MIPIM is a prime great example of how a strong partnership approach between the private and public sectors can provide the optimum environment for businesses to thrive," she said. 

"Given the ongoing challenges brought about by Brexit uncertainty, it's more important than ever that, together, we get out and market Belfast and the surrounding region internationally. Investment in real estate not only delivers jobs and economic prosperity; it is essential to our ability to attract international businesses to our city, whilst supporting our indigenous businesses to grow and flourish. 

"MIPIM 2019 will be about building upon the excellent success achieved through our attendance at the conference in the past three years. We are once again putting in place a programme of engaging events to ensure that Belfast's compelling investment proposition is reaching new audiences and investor networks.

"Once again, we want to create a real buzz around our stand this year and our programme of showcase events will be enhanced by a series of 'special interest' slots- including two sessions featuring world renowned architect Daniel Libeskind, most famous for the building of New York's World Trade Center in New York and Berlin's Jewish Museum. The stand will feature costumes from HBO's Game of Thrones exhibition, highlighting the region's burgeoning film and screen industry."

For more information about Belfast at MIPIM, including full details on the businesses making up the delegation, visit the invest in Belfast website.



(JG/MH)