Derry City is heading for a bumper Christmas trading period thanks to its strong retail offering and enhanced public transport services provided by Translink.

Summer might be a quiet time for many businesses, but the city centre, and the retail sector in particular, continue to serve their customers every day, all day, and provide a much needed service for the city. This summer the Derry Chamber has been focusing on how retailers can improve performance and give themselves, and therefore our city, competitive advantage over other shopping destinations.

The Chamber this week launched its autumn programme of events - themed on Entrepreneurship. Janice Tracey, Chamber Chief Executive, announced the theme commenting, "In today's very competitive markets, where there are really very few new ideas, it is the company which differentiates itself by focusing on providing the best products and the very best service that survives. Entrepreneurs aren't afraid to take a chance and to be different. We want to encourage and support that necessary entrepreneurial spirit in the NW."

The Chamber this week launched its autumn programme of events - themed on Entrepreneurship.

Minimising the impact of the new postage pricing system was the order of the day at breakfast event recently organised by the Derry Chamber.

Migrant Workers have become an increasingly visible social group in Northern Ireland over the past few years. This has presented local communities with many challenges as well as opportunities. One section of the community, namely employers, were reminded of the role they have to play at a very well attended event run by the Derry Chamber of Commerce this week. Janice Tracey, CEO, said:

At the very outset, I want to pay tribute to Richard Sterling for the excellent job he has done leading this Chamber during the past 2 years. I can say without fear of contradiction that he has given truly 'sterling' service to this organisation. Richard has worked tirelessly for the business community in the North West Region. His tenacity has been felt in the corridors of power in Belfast and indeed in Dublin, most notably in his pursuit of improved access infrastructure for the economic growth of this Region.

Derry is to be the host city for a major Electronics Industry Forum in September. Thanks to a unique partnership between Derry City Council, Derry Chamber of Commerce, Derry VCB and the University facilitated by the SmartCity Group, the 98th Plenary session of EDIFICE will be held in the City.

The potential for firms in the North West to do more business over the internet has been highlighted at a talk on e-commerce at Chamber of Commerce House in Derry.

Derry Chamber has today (08/02/06) welcomed the announcement by 02 Ireland that it is to abolish roaming charges on the island of Ireland.