Support for northwest business announced

Three new initiatives to encourage entrepreneurship and business growth in the northwest were announced yesterday evening as part of Invest NI's 'Go For It week'.

The programme, developed under the Northwest Action Plan, is designed to offer further support to businesses that have already participated in the 'Start a Business' programme. The support will take the form of tailored mentoring for new businesses to help them through the challenging first few years in operation.

The event was also the opportunity for Derry City Council to announce their new Business Awards Scheme, which is scheduled to take place in the city in September.

The Senior Economic Development Officer for Derry City Council, Mark Lusby, said: “The Council’s Economic Development Plan committed us to work with others to promote entrepreneurship in Derry and the northwest. The Derry City Council Business Awards Scheme shows that Council is delivering on this commitment."

Some 50 people attended last night's event, many of them past participants of the Start a Business Programme. Kevin Helferty, Manager of Invest NI’s northwest local office added: “This event was a great opportunity for local entrepreneurs to network in an informal setting and meet with business advisors from Invest NI and the Enterprise Northern Ireland network.

"Networking is considered to be a powerful means of communication between businesses. Whether it is building knowledge, expertise, confidence or direct business leads, there are many benefits from networking — and we know that business listens to business."

The finale of the Northwest Go For It week will be the Start a Business Show, which takes place on June 12 and 13 in the Millennium Forum, Londonderry.

(MB)