20 June 2000
EAST BELFAST LINKS TO WORLDWIDE WEB
Northern Ireland must succeed in building up a knowledge-based economy if our economy is to grow and prosper in the 21st century, Sir Reg Empey, MLA, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, said today.
The Minister was speaking at the launch of a new website for East Belfast, www.eastbelfast.com launched today by the Greater East Belfast Partnership.
Congratulating the Partnership on this initiative, Sir Reg said: "eastbelfast.com is an excellent example of a local regeneration organisation using technology as an interactive ‘shop window’ for the benefit of the local community through encouraging investment and promoting the area to both those living in East Belfast and visitors to the area.
"It also provides a facility for people in East Belfast to have a web presence if they wish to add information to the site. This allows them to become active participants, giving them a stake in the e-revolution.
"eastbelfast.com is a truly comprehensive and interactive website which clearly demonstrates to the local community, including businesses and trade, the advantages of using the technology in areas such as information provision and linkages while showcasing products and services. "This is closely allied to the Government’s strategic framework ‘Leapfrog to the Information Age’ which advises businesses of the importance of the strategic and operational use of technology in all relevant business processes and seeks to create a sector and a reputation in Northern Ireland for developing the e-commerce and e-business enabling technologies.
"Connecting to the internet is no longer an exotic technical add-on, it is an essential business tool that all businesses should be using. Without a doubt this sector can be a major powerhouse for job creation and business expansion," he concluded.
Funded by LEDU (Local Enterprise Development Unit), the International Fund for Ireland and Belfast Regeneration Office, the Greater East Belfast Partnership has developed a number of programmes and initiatives promoting the use of technology and delivered them to community organisations throughout East Belfast.
The new website provides information not only on the Partnership’s work but also information on the East Belfast area and provides linkages to other sites including Belfast City Council, LEDU and IDB. The site is designed for all who live, work, visit, shop or invest in the area.
Residents can catch up on the latest news as well as find information on local amenities such as restaurants, shops and medical facilities. Tourists can locate where to stay and discover sights to see. Potential investors can read about East Belfast’s proud industrial heritage and learn how they can be part of its continuing economic development.
For further information please contact Janette Scott at Greater East Belfast Partnership Tel. (028) 9045 1900 or
janette@eastbelfast.com