British-Irish Chamber of Commerce Launched

The Irish Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore has launched the British-Irish Chamber of Commerce with British Foreign Secretary, William Hague. The launch took place this week in the offices of PWC on Spencer Dock, Dublin.

The British Irish Chamber of Commerce was established with the aim of increasing British-Irish business and investments. The Chamber is open to companies operating in Britain, Ireland or both and will seek to play a strong role in the promotion and further development of trade between both jurisdictions.

Speaking at the launch said that the new Chamber could play a strong role in bringing British and Irish companies and individuals together to work for the mutual benefit of the two countries. He said that there was enormous value in the bilateral trade and business relationship, and potential for it to grow even further.

Foreign Secretary Hague, commenting that establishment of the British Irish Chamber of Commerce could not come at a more appropriate time, said: "Now more than ever both economies will be looking to trade and to the large number of jobs provided by the export industry."

He added that "the British Irish Chamber of Commerce, along with Government organisations such as Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and UK Trade & Investment provide an ideal platform to encourage and support that potential".

The Tánaiste commended the Chamber’s President, Feargal Naughton, its CEO, Peter Byrne, and the Chamber's founding companies for their work in establishing the Chamber.

(BMcN/BMcc)