The world is invited
£100m vote of confidence in our future as globe’s most powerful leaders head for Lough Erne
Economy to get massive boost as Cameron brings G8 summit to Northern Ireland
Political editor Liam Clarke on how deal of the century was pulled off
Yours for just a snip at £10m... the troubled hotel that will host top-level talks
FOR two days Fermanagh will become the centre of the world.
David Cameron has handed Northern Ireland a £100m vote of confidence — and pledged that next year’s G8 summit will showcase the province globally.
The Prime Minister vowed the gathering of world leaders would be a “great moment” following confirmation that Fermanagh will be the venue for the high-level conference.
“I want the world to see just what a fantastic place Northern Ireland is,” Mr Cameron said.
The five-star Lough Erne Hotel will play host to the biggest event ever staged here next June as eight of the world’s most powerful leaders jet in for the two-day summit.
An unprecedented security operation will be put in place to guard heads of state including US President Barack Obama, Russian leader Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Despite the huge costs of hosting a world- scale event, it is thought the economic spin-offs could top £100m, with Northern Ireland reaping the benefits for years to come.
Mr Cameron delivered the news during a whistle-stop visit to the province yesterday.
Speaking at a factory near Craigavon, he said the announcement was good news for Northern Ireland, adding the summit would be a “brilliant advertisement”.
“The world’s leaders are going to be here next year debating the issues that are vital to the future of our world, vital to the future of Northern Ireland and seeing this brilliant, beautiful part of the United Kingdom,” he added.
“And seeing it’s open for business, great for investment, fantastic at training skilled workers ready to take on the world.”
Mr Cameron said he wanted the G8 to focus on three main themes — the fight against protectionism in global trade, action against tax avoidance, and promoting greater transparency and openness in governments and businesses around the world.
It will be the first time the event has been held in the UK for eight years. The 2005 summit at Gleneagles is estimated to have contributed at least £ 60m to Scotland’s economy, but the 2013 meeting is already being tipped to well exceed that.
Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster, who is also an MLA for Fermanagh-South Tyrone, told the Belfast Telegraph: “It is such a tremendous opportunity to sell one of the most beautiful parts of the United Kingdom to the rest of the world.”
Mrs Foster insisted Northern Ireland was up to the challenge of hosting such a prestigious event.
The summit, scheduled for June 17 and 18, completes a hat-trick of world-scale events next year, including Londonderry’s UK City of Culture extravaganza and the World Police and Fire Games in Belfast.
The chairman of Tourism Ireland, Brian Ambrose, said it was an unprecedented opportunity to showcase the province.
“It will raise the profile of Northern Ireland and ultimately help us achieve our goal of increasing visitor numbers from overseas,” he said.
Secretary of State Theresa Villiers pledged to work closely with the Executive to maximise the potential of the G8 summit.
Ms Villiers said it showed the “incredible progress” in Northern Ireland over the last 20 years.
First Minister Peter Robinson said “we will ensure that the message that goes out is that Northern Ireland is not only a top visitor destination, but also a great place to do business”.