Belfast: A city of opportunities - Ritchie tells Bloomberg - 09 May 2008
Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie today welcomed Mayor Bloomberg to the Titanic Quarter in Belfast.
The visit was a significant part of the New York Mayor’s participation in the Investment Conference and gave him a chance to see at first hand real progress in the developing prosperity and fabric of Belfast.
Margaret Ritchie said: “Titanic Quarter is a symbol of the new Northern Ireland. It holds the promise of delivering greater prosperity for our people and a unique investment opportunity for the United States business sector. Regeneration on a massive scale is underway across Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland can provide the diversity of people, environment and infrastructure that meets the needs of modern business.
“I am proud that my Department plays its part in leading the regeneration of Northern Ireland’s cities and towns.”
The Minister then highlighted that Belfast is a city of opportunities.
She said: “Just across the river we have recently completed a decade of investment at Laganside which injected almost £1billion in private funds to Belfast’s rundown riverfront generating 15,000 new jobs in the telecommunications, call-centre, hotel and leisure sectors. In Belfast City Centre we have just opened the £460million Victoria Square regeneration scheme. This scheme is providing 650,000 sq ft of new retail and leisure space generating 3,000 jobs.
“The peace dividend is delivering new investment, new hope and offering new opportunities for our people. We have demonstrated that investors can have confidence in Belfast. We are a City of opportunities. A City with a determination to work in genuine partnership with international investors”.
Notes to Editors:
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