Council Helps Local Businesses Defeat Recession

Substantial support is being offered to local businesses in the Belfast area with a special 'Meet the Buyer' event, which is taking place in June.

This aim is to give local suppliers much-needed assistance in facing today's tough economic climate.

Run by Belfast City Council in partnership with the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce, the event is part of the council's 'Local Sourcing Initiative' programme and is aimed at small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) from across Belfast.

It will allow them opportunities to meet with large buyers from the private and public sectors.

It is also one of the events listed in Belfast City Council's Waste Week calendar which runs from 1-5 June.

Local suppliers at 'Meet the Buyer' in Belfast Waterfront Hall on 4 June can gain access to and awareness of supply opportunities in the private and public sectors, said a spokesman, who explained that key representatives from both sectors will also in attendance at the event to meet with local businesses.

Councillor Michael Browne, Chairman of Belfast City Council's Development Committee, also said: "The Local Sourcing Initiative is designed to promote awareness of and access to procurement opportunities.

"The companies taking part in the event will get advice from decision makers on supply opportunities, exclusive time to pitch individually throughout the day as well as participant to participant networking.

"In addition to a 'Meet the Buyer' session, the event will also offer 20 Belfast-based small businesses the opportunity to avail of pre-event monitoring and post event follow up to enhance their prospects of success."

In its seventh year, Belfast City Council’s Waste Week encourages people to think about how they manage their waste and focus on the 'reduce, reuse and recycle' message.

Buyers at the Waterfront Hall event will be encouraged to cut down on their carbon footprint by sourcing components, materials and supplies locally and cutting down on packaging, logistics and transportation.

(BMcC/JM)