North's businesses urged to grasp EU opportunity
Northern Ireland businesses were urged today to seize the opportunities offered by the enlargement of the European Union.
Britain's Enterprise, Trade and Investment Minister Ian Pearson said the North needed to develop more relationships with other European regions to increase its opportunities of being a “preferred partner”.
Speaking at the opening of a Belfast conference on Forging Regional Links in Europe, he said making such links was important, especially at a time of expansion in the EU.
“Forging regional links is important on its own but also in terms of an enlarged Europe.
“We need in future to take advantage of the opportunities available both for Northern Ireland businesses, groups and organisations and in terms of there being a much larger EU for Northern Ireland to influence as a region.
“These are the challenges we need to try to meet,” he said.
There were two aspects of forging links with Europe, said the minister.
Firstly it was about how the North as a region could operate more effectively in the European arena and make the most of its resources to influence policies which matter most to Northern Ireland.
Secondly it was about building relationships with other regions in areas of common interest.
The British government recognised there were lessons to be learnt from the practices of other regions, and also that Northern Ireland had invaluable experience which it could offer which was of benefit to others.
“We have a major opportunity to share our experiences as Northern Ireland emerges from conflict and to learn from the experiences of others in a wide range of fields by building new, and increasing our existing, links with Europe,” said the minister.
“In a global society we cannot afford to allow our problems at home to distract us from the pursuit of international solutions,” he added.
