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08/04/2005
Council opens debate on World Trade Centre for Belfast
Belfast City Council has confirmed it is investigate the potential for the development of a World Trade Centre in the city.
Many cities throughout the world have such centres which act as an international ‘shop window’ for a region with some observers believing that a World Trade Centre in Belfast could help local businesses be much more effective in trading with markets across the globe.
Announcing its plans at a breakfast seminar on Friday, Council said it would be undertaking research into the benefit of such facilities to cities across the world, and that it would be embarking on a major consultation exercise to assess the viability of establishing a World Trade Centre in Belfast.
However, as Marie-Thérèse McGivern, the Council’s Director of Development, explained, the development of a World Trade Centre does not necessarily mean a new building for the city.
“Most people associate the term World Trade Centre with the Twin Towers in New York. That was probably the most famous Centre but there are actually another 320 World Trade Centres in more than 90 countries,” she said.
“While many are associated with an iconic building, in most cities a World Trade Centre is often more about the idea of providing the kind of services which can help businesses market their goods in services on the international market,” explained Ms Givern.
“As part of its on-going urban development agenda for the city, Belfast City Council is asking businesses where such a centre would be useful in strengthening Belfast’s commercial profile abroad and help in marketing the city,” she added.
(MB)
Many cities throughout the world have such centres which act as an international ‘shop window’ for a region with some observers believing that a World Trade Centre in Belfast could help local businesses be much more effective in trading with markets across the globe.
Announcing its plans at a breakfast seminar on Friday, Council said it would be undertaking research into the benefit of such facilities to cities across the world, and that it would be embarking on a major consultation exercise to assess the viability of establishing a World Trade Centre in Belfast.
However, as Marie-Thérèse McGivern, the Council’s Director of Development, explained, the development of a World Trade Centre does not necessarily mean a new building for the city.
“Most people associate the term World Trade Centre with the Twin Towers in New York. That was probably the most famous Centre but there are actually another 320 World Trade Centres in more than 90 countries,” she said.
“While many are associated with an iconic building, in most cities a World Trade Centre is often more about the idea of providing the kind of services which can help businesses market their goods in services on the international market,” explained Ms Givern.
“As part of its on-going urban development agenda for the city, Belfast City Council is asking businesses where such a centre would be useful in strengthening Belfast’s commercial profile abroad and help in marketing the city,” she added.
(MB)
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