Business leaders and sector representatives gathered at Belfast City Hall for a briefing on the opportunities arising from the Belfast Region City Deal investment program.
Belfast Lord Mayor Councillor Ryan Murphy encouraged attendees to leverage the opportunities and amplify them through their networks to benefit the local economy.
The Augment the City Challenge competition, supported by £930,000 of City Deal funding, will help local SMEs explore immersive technologies to enhance visitor experiences.
The City Deal has made significant progress in its investment pillars, moving into the delivery phase and creating valuable economic opportunities for the region.
The City and Growth Deals aim to supercharge investment, economic growth, and tech innovation in Belfast, with the Westminster Government committing substantial funds for digital and innovation projects.
First Minister Michelle O’Neill highlighted the £1bn investment over the next decade to create up to 20,000 new, better-paid jobs, emphasising a decade of opportunity. “This morning is about connecting you to the opportunities this City Deal offers. It is also about outlining a programme of investment that will support business and people here well into the next generation. It is about our future, our young people and about the decade of opportunity that is referenced in this City Deal.”
Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said: “We are global leaders in cybersecurity, FinTech, RegTech, life and health sciences, advanced manufacturing, the creative industries and low carbon technologies, but we can do so much more. Let’s use this momentum to ensure City Deals are the catalyst for the kind of transformation we are capable of and deserve, supercharging investment opportunity, economic growth and tech innovation.”
