Big Business at Council Conference
Publish Date: Tuesday, 27 September 2005
Leading business experts from across the island of Ireland gathered in Co Tyrone last week to attend the Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council ‘Business in A Rural Economy – An International Approach’ conference at the Glenavon House Hotel in Cookstown on Wednesday 21st and Thursday 22nd September.
Speakers included Professor Fabian Monds, Chair Invest Northern Ireland and Powerscreen International founder Pat O’Neill, a leading industrialist in the development of international companies.
Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council is privileged to host the ‘Business in a Rural Economy’ conference, through which it hopes to encourage an international vision across local businesses who have the ability and drive to operate on the global market.
Mayor Councillor Francie Molloy MLA was delighted at the success of the conference:
“It was an excellent opportunity to show that a rural economy can be very successful and proves that our economic success is built on the spirit of the local entrepreneur and family business.”
John Campbell, Chief Executive of Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council in his opening address, spoke of the changing focus on the Northern Ireland economy:
“In recent years, high tech manufacturing has overtaken Northern Ireland’s traditional industries. This is a progression towards a modern, knowledge based, technology driven and export focused economy.”
Mr Campbell also made reference to the many companies who operate internationally from the South Tyrone area such as Mallaghan Engineering, Powerscreen International, The McAvoy Group, McCloskey Engineering, Moy Park, Dungannon Meats and Finlays:
“These and other exceptional companies are testament to the success of their investments as well as the fact that nearly three quarters of foreign investors in Northern Ireland have already re-invested or are gearing up to invest more. They are attracted by a loyal, disciplined workforce who are highly qualified young people and a strong manufacturing tradition which we must continue to promote.”
Professor Fabian Monds addressed the delegates:
“For a localised economy such as Tyrone, within a regional Northern Ireland economy, globalisation means both larger markets and greater competition.
Local firms must take action to improve their competitiveness in export markets and it is encouraging to see businesses in Tyrone embrace innovation, creativity and the development of higher value-added products and services as they meet the challenges of future economic development.”
As well as educating the public and private sector on the opportunities available on an international market, the conference presented best practice on how major business development opportunities can stem from Northern Ireland’s rural based economy.
