US Economic Envoy Addresses Chamber Members

The US Economic Envoy Declan Kelly was on a whirlwind visit to the NW and found time to meet with members of Derry's Chamber of Commerce. 

Jim Sammon, Chamber President said, "Given that the entire focus for the new envoy is the economy, it is fitting that Mr Kelly meets as many business leaders as possible.  Given Derry's long association and close links with a number of key US cities, we will be keen to discuss our plans for the city and to make sure when he is shining a light on Northern Ireland's assets, that this city and region is in the spotlight."

Appointed by US Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton, Declan's role is to create an awareness of this region among as many senior business leaders and interested third parties as he can. He is looking at the long term picture of developing relationships.

Derry was playing host to a major cross border networking event at which members from Dundalk, Derry, Letterkenny and Strabane came together to increase their business contacts.   After a private meeting with Chamber Officers, Mr Kelly used the opportunity to network with members, to outline his role and give his impressions after 2 months in the job. 

Janice Tracey, Chamber CEO said, "We are delighted to have met with the Obama Administration's Economic Envoy.  It is clear that Mr Kelly sees his role as benefitting the entire region of Northern Ireland.  It was a great opportunity to make sure he has a briefing on all that the city has to offer.  As capital of the NW region, Derry has a leadership role to bring investment NW.  The City of Culture Bid, World Heritage bid, regeneration plans, University Expansion plans and of course our international connectivity link were all some of the points we highlighted.  We wanted to get across the message that Derry has something different - a city experience but not a frantic city lifestyle.