05/02/2009

Ulster Bank Backing Ulster

There has been a high level welcome for news that one of the major banks is freeing up additional funds for businesses in Northern Ireland - with hopes of other enterprise initiatives to come.

First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness joined forces to praise this week's announcement by the Ulster Bank that it will make available an additional £250million to fund commerce here.

The money is being made available from the Ulster Bank immediately - as part of a UK wide £3billion package by the bank's parent company, Royal Bank of Scotland.

Meanwhile, the Ministers are also hoping for a positive response from the Westminster government too, as they meet Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform, Lord Mandelson, to discuss a range of issues affecting NI business.

This week though, the delivery of funding by the Ulster Bank prompted Mr Robinson to comment: "This announcement comes as a tremendous boost to the confidence of local businesses in Northern Ireland.

"Many businessmen and women have struggled to gain access to finance over the last year and this injection of funding will enable many people to get back to what they do best, running their businesses," he continued.

Mr McGuinness said: "In a meeting with the Ulster Bank Chairman Sean Dorgan earlier this week, we were informed of the bank's plans to support local business and we are confident that local businesses will benefit considerably.

"The Executive will be monitoring all of our major local banks closely to ensure that support is given to Small and Medium Sized Enterprises during this difficult time."

The announcement comes following the first in a series of meetings with local banks chaired by the First Minister and Deputy First Minister.

Lord Mandelson is meeting local politicians and business representatives to discuss the current economic challenges and update on the Government's plans to work through the situation.

(BMcC/JM)

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