Business organisations club together for conference

Some of Northern Ireland's leading business organisation's are to hold a special meeting next week aimed at supporting small business across the country.

The Federation of Small Business (FSB), Chambers of Commerce, Management Leadership Network, DEL, Learn Direct, The Business Institute and local Invest NI offices will meet in Ballymena for a small business evening entitled ' Getting Together to Get Results'.

Mike Mills president of the NI Chamber of Commerce said: "For years we have been asking for government support our small businesses, we have that now and it is up to our small business sector to make full use of this, we can’t lose out, we must ensure that if government is investing in training and education that we can access it and make it work for us and help get results."

Brendan Kearney of FSB added: "The development of the owner manager is essential if we want to see growth, networking and sharing ideas, mistakes and aspirations rub off on each other and we can learn a lot from someone who has gone before and can give advise on what to look out for.

"Development of staff and increasing knowledge within the small business will make processes easier and can streamline the way we do business to finding new contacts, resources to develop the business, and help get connected."

Next week's meeting is the first of five meeting which will also take in Portadown and Londonderry in October, Omagh in November and Newry in December.

(MB)