West Belfast open for business - de Brún

24 March, 2009

Sinn Féin MEP Bairbre de Brún will attend a dinner tonight organised by the West Belfast & Greater Shankill Enterprise Council who are hosting the Irish Chamber of Commerce USA on a fact finding visit to West Belfast.
 
Speaking ahead of the event Ms de Brún said:
 
“I welcome the visit by the Irish Chamber of  Commerce USA and their interest in examining West Belfast as an area with which to have links.
 
“This section of the city has seen years of under investment by successive British direct rule ministers, and over the past ten years by Invest NI and its predecessor, the IDB.
 
“This is despite a large and skilled workforce and areas such as Mackies or Springvale and other sites being offered as key investment opportunities that would lead to job creation and economic regeneration for this section of the city.
 
“Economic and social regeneration is a key element to any post conflict situation. We need to ensure that those communities that have suffered deprivation and have been most affected by the conflict are stimulated and regenerated.

 “The fact the Irish Chamber of Commerce USA are being hosted in West Belfast by the West Belfast & Greater Shankill Enterprise Council is central to this and we hope that it provides the opportunity to see at first hand the skills base, the entrepreneurship, the plans and dreams and possible infrastructure that this locality offers.”