Janice Tracey urges business community to have their say on the key road routes in and out of the city. She said "Decisions on route selection are being made now. The development of this NW region and its capital city is directly affected by how effective and efficient access to and from the region and city is. These key schemes will affect not only big business and daily commuters but how the city centre is developed and accessed by our tourist visitors and shoppers. Each of us has a responsibility to make sure we get the access we deserve".

Chamber of Commerce President Ian Crowe today called on our city's economic development agencies to join forces and build the irrefutable case for locating public sector jobs in the city.

PRESS RELEASE

In a wide ranging response to the Department of Enterprise Trade and Investment's Corporate Plan, the NW's leading business representation organisation has called on the government to "review the proliferation of literature produced by the public sector".

Press Release

Belfast Monday 31^st March 2008

BT ANNOUNCED AS CHAMBER COMMUNICATIONS PARTNER

Questions are being raised across a wide range of sectors about employer's commitment to training and their willingness to invest in the vital tool of staff development.

The President of the NW's Leading Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Ian Crowe, has welcomed the announcement by DRD Minister Conor Murphy to lift the restriction on investment in the Derry rail link North of Ballymena and thereby open the way for the preparation of a business case for a substantial upgrade of the section of the line between Coleraine and Derry.

The city's Chamber of Commerce warmly welcomed Northern Ireland's First Minister to the city yesterday.

Leading Business NW was the key theme of the Chamber of Commerce's 50th Annual Dinner held this week in the Everglades Hotel. The event, sponsored by firmus energy, was a spectacular affair with a host of high profile guests from the public and private sector, joining with over 300 chamber member companies.

Chamber of Commerce President, Ian Crowe, has warmly welcomed the announcement of 450 jobs in the IT sector.

HIGH QUALITY FOR NW SAYS MINISTER

July 2nd, 2007 - Derry - Over thirty Spencer Road, Duke Street and Clooney Terrace business owners descended on a packed Café Zest on Tuesday evening to take part in the first of a two-part marketing workshop designed to help raise the profile of this up and coming area.

The Chamber of Commerce in Derry is grateful to the Department for Social Development for the opportunity to comment on the conceptual proposals drawn up by Building Design Partnership for enhancements to the major public realm spaces at Guildhall Square and Waterloo Place.The Chamber notes from the Minister's statement that these proposals are in the form of initial designs and assume therefore that there will be future opportunities to comment as the detailed design work progresses.

"Today's successful networker does more listening and less talking. The more you can find out about your potential customer the better equipped you will be to meet their needs," says Chamber.

Poor payment practice is costing UK business £20bn a year, according to research commissioned by payments group Prompt Payer. Janice Tracey, Chief Executive of the Chamber of Commerce comments on the NW perspective.

Business Leaders in the regional capital of the NW of the Island called today on the newly formed Irish government to make every effort to sustain the economic momentum of gateway status in the NW. Derry Chamber President, Mr Ian Crowe, commended An Taoiseach for his commitment to the NW.

Speed networking is THE way to put YOUR business first….The Chamber of Commerce introduced this concept to the North West in 2005 and literally hundreds of businesses have learned the tricks of the networking trade - doing business with business colleagues, each company leaving the event with loads of leads and even more contacts. But it's what you do with those leads and contacts after the event. This is the crucial second step in the process.

Glorious day at Foyle Golf Centre

Local Chamber Chief Ian Crowe has highlighted the fact that Derry has been identified by the Construction Information Service as a location to analyse for a major report that they are carrying out. The CIS will conduct a report and accompanying CD on Construction 'Hot-Spots' in Ireland. These Hot-Spots have been identified in a number of Government Reports and as such CIS will provide up to date information and analysis on 25 major projects in each Hot-Spot identified across all sectors of the industry. Derry is one of the 12 cities/towns on the Island that will be targeted for analysis.

Chamber President Ian Crowe welcomed the major Fujitsu announcement. He said "Fujitsu is a leading provider of customer focused IT and Communications solutions for the global market place and this is great endorsement for the city that they have chosen to locate in Derry".

Sustainability - the biggest issue we all have to face in the 21^st century. There are some tough targets for government to achieve in the coming years in relation to climate change and its not all about big business making changes. All businesses need to change.

Congratulating Store Manager Jackie Scott and Area Manager Neale on the opening of the new Primark Store, Mr Ian Crowe, President of the Chamber of Commerce, said, "On behalf of the business community, you are very welcome to our city centre.

The North West is Best - that's why, says Janice Tracey, Chief Executive of the regional City's Chamber of Commerce.

Chamber of Commerce President Ann-Marie Slavin welcomed the major announcement made by AXA Insurance this week. "The Chamber is delighted that AXA have chosen Derry to expand its all Ireland operation. This is a great sign of commitment on behalf of AXA and indeed a massive vote of confidence in the region."

The Chambers of Commerce in the NW joined forces last week at a business lunch at which the guest speaker was Sir George Quigley. Sir George heads up the NI Industrial Task Force and he spoke to Chamber members on how NI and the NW in particular could be much more competitive in the global economy if fiscal policies were harmonised.

Ann Marie Slavin, President of Derry's Chamber of Commerce today warmly welcomed the publication of Ireland's National Development Plan (2007-2013 ) which proposes investment of some 184 billion Euros in Ireland's economic and social infrastructure over the next six years. Around 800 million of this is earmarked for the Northern Counties.

Welcoming the announcement by Minister David Hanson, Londonderry Chamber of Commerce President Ann-Marie Slavin said, "The construction of a hotel, apartments, restaurant and shops as well as a courtyard at the former City Hotel site is another step toward the re-generation of the City. It is also good news on the job front with a least 400 construction and business jobs being created from this development."

The Chamber President commented today on the Council's efforts to keep the rates increase as low as possible.

At their first Business Lunch of 2007, the city's Chamber of Commerce welcomed Minister Marie Eagle in her second visit to the city in a week.

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.

Business leaders warmly welcomed Minister Micheal Martin to the North West this week. The Minister was speaking at a Business Lunch, sponsored by PriceWaterhouseCoopers, attended by over 150 Chamber members. The event kicks off a series hosted by the Chamber of Commerce in Derry, giving businesses the opportunity to lobby ministers and stakeholders North and South.

Frank Guckian has been a champion for business in NW for as long as any of us can remember and not too many like to admit to remembering that far back.

The Londonderry Chamber of Commerce and the NWIFHE held a joint 'Essential Skills needs in the Workplace' breakfast seminar on Thursday 2nd February in the NWIFHE. The seminar highlighted the need to encourage more employers to identify and address literacy and numeracy needs in the workplace and enable them to access free, tailor-made learning programmes for their employees.

Improving adult literacy levels in the workplace has a direct impact on the efficiency and profitability of your organisation and employees.

Derry City Council's Environmental Health Department has been acknowledged for its quality management system and meeting the standards of ISO 9000.