Foster Meets With Local Traders From Clogher

Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster recently met with local traders from Clogher to discuss a range of issues and concerns facing businesses in the area.

During the briefing organised by the Clogher Development Association, the Minister encouraged businesses to seize the opportunities to develop.

Arlene Foster said: "I have attended a number of meetings throughout Northern Ireland with Chambers of Commerce and local trade organisations. The same common issues have emerged including the high costs of energy and rates and difficulties with banks and finance.

"I believe that local firms can deal with these issues in a number of ways and gain vital assistance at the same time. Improving the interaction with your local councils is one step as they can provide support and guidance to local businesses on a range of areas including tourism and business growth.

"Invest NI, through its ‘Boosting Business’ campaign is there to work with smaller companies to help them expand and develop. They can help with grants, research and development and access to finance."

Concluding the Minister said she understood that it was a difficult economic environment across Northern Ireland but that there was much to be positive about.

She said: "There is significant support and assistance out there to help local businesses to expand and develop, they just have to seize it. This year the NI2012 ‘Our place, our time’ campaign has provided us with a unique opportunity to showcase our amazing tourism potential. By increasing the number of visitors to all parts of Northern Ireland this will in turn create jobs and boost the economy.

"A vibrant tourism industry requires engagement from the private sector and locally-based organisations and individual and organisations such as you. This will help ensure that Fermanagh and other destinations across Northern Ireland can achieve their full potential in tourism."

(CD/GK)