Councillor John Gallen, Vice Chairman of the Council’s Development Committee with (l-r) Elizabeth McCrory - UK Export Finance, Sinead Magee - Invest NI, Oonagh Murtagh - Danske Bank and Louise Wallace - Enterprise Europe Network

Lisburn & Castlereagh City Councils’ Entrepreneurs Network recently hosted ‘Securing Business Finance’ at Lagan Valley Island with representatives from major business support and financial institutions present. Speakers from Danske Bank - Oonagh Murtagh, UK Export Finance – Elizabeth McCrory, Invest NI – Sinead Magee and Enterprise Europe Network – Louise Wallace provided free financial support information to businesses based in the Lisburn and Castlereagh area.

There was a live demonstration of the Enterprise Europe Network database which is the world’s largest and contains over 10,000 live global opportunities to identify potential partners to collaborate with on new product development and/or help grow export sales.

Afterwards there was the opportunity to speak one-to-one with the speakers and financial organisations’ representatives including Inspire Business Centre, Lisburn Enterprise Organisation, Ulster Bank, First Trust Bank, Bank of Ireland, GMcG Accountants, Department of Communities and Social Enterprise NI.

Cllr John Gallen, Vice Chairman of the Council’s Development Committee, speaking at the event, said “it was great to see over 40 local businesses from a range of sectors in attendance.

“The Council understands the financing issues facing businesses in the area and by hosting this event aims to assist local businesses in identifying potential sources of finance.

“I was especially interested to see how the Enterprise Europe Network database could provide potential opportunities for local businesses to collaborate with European partners as well as grow sales.

“I would encourage any local business that is looking to secure finance or other assistance to contact the Council’s Business Solution’s team and avail of the support on offer” concluded Cllr John Gallen.