Delegates to market city at top global conference
BELFAST is set to promote itself as a location for business and property investment at an international conference in March.
Representatives of the city’s private and public sector will attend the MIPIM event in Cannes.
The city was represented at the event last year, and a senior business leader said a number of schemes were being planned as a result.
Jackie Henry, senior partner at Deloitte Northern Ireland and chairman of the Belfast at MIPIM steering group, explained that the coming year would build on the success of 2016.
“We will be focused on increasing the level of investor interest even further by highlighting how and why Belfast is an attractive city for investors, and what is driving growth and regeneration in the city,” he said.
“We are once again putting in place a programme of specific action that will ensure the Belfast proposition at MIPIM is as compelling as possible.”
The event is expected to attract around 2,000 exhibitors and 20,000 delegates from more than 80 countries.
Suzanne Wylie, chief executive of Belfast City Council, said the city was experiencing growing investment and tourist momentum.
“I genuinely believe we have the skills, the ambition and the energy to continue to drive the city forward,” she added.
“I sense real optimism and a belief that we are ready for investment and ready to take the next big step forward.
“Promoting Belfast requires hard work and commitment. We are telling our story to the world, convincing them of the opportunities to invest here and, of course, we want that to create jobs for local people.
Organisations that have said they will support Belfast’s presence at the event include Titanic Quarter, CBRE, A&L Goodbody, Danske Bank, KPMG and Bank of Ireland.
The delegation will host more than 20 events at MIPIM focused on elements of the city’s economy including talent, tax, technology and innovation, location, fast-growth sectors and foreign direct investment.