Castlereagh Borough Council is teaming up with Lisburn City Council to run a trade programme to Atlanta Georgia.

With the USA’s fourth largest concentration of Fortune 500 companies, Atlanta Georgia has been slower to suffer a downturn and quicker to recover from any temporary setback than many other major American city because of its diverse economy.

“Atlanta still boasts opportunities for Northern Ireland business,” explained Mayor of Castlereagh, Councillor Vivienne McCoy. “Castlereagh Borough Council has assisted many local companies to grow via its current Economic Development Strategy but we believe that if development of Northern Ireland’s private sector is to be accelerated, companies must step onto the global stage and actively grasp opportunities.”

Participation on the Atlanta Trade Development Programme is subsidised by the council and it is open to all businesses within the Borough of Castlereagh.

Alderman Jack Beattie, chairman of the council’s Economic Sub Committee commented: “This is a local programme aimed at encouraging export at grass-roots level through providing individual company preparation, detailed itinerary planning and upon return, support to follow up source and supply leads.”

Interested companies should contact Colin McCabrey, Economic Development manager, Castlereagh Borough Council, Civic and Administrative Offices, Bradford Court, Upper Galwally, County Antrim, BT8 6RB or email colinmccabrey@castlereagh.gov.uk.