Sinn Féin MEP Martina Anderson hosted a delegation from Chambers of Commerce, SMEs and other business interests from across the North and Border Region in Brussels on Tuesday 25th June.

The delegates who were hosted in the European Parliament in Brussels by Martina Anderson MEP

Martina Anderson said: “In line with my commitment to bring Brussels to the people and bring the people to Brussels I have hosted a delegation representing almost every Chamber of Commerce and other business representative body in the North and Border Region at the EU Parliament over the past two days. The visit gave the delegation an opportunity to meet the Director Generals (DGs) of all of the funding and support Departments of the Commission. 

Very informative meetings were held with DGs in Research and Innovationand policy development in the area of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises(SME) as well as the urban dimension of cohesion policy and sustainable urban development. They also met with the Head of Unit: Access to Finance for SMEs and with Stephen Langley, Programme Manager Ireland and Britain responsible for Regional Development and ensuring compliance with the rules and to coordinate programmes for the North, South and East of Ireland. 

Before leaving Brussels to return home the delegation had discussions around the Barosso Task Force with Junior Ministers Jennifer McCann and Jonathan Bell who were also in Brussels on Executive business. I believe that all the representatives will return home with a better understanding of the available funding and support mechanisms of the EU and I am confident that they will put this knowledge to productive use.”

Chamber Vice President Alan Stewart with Martina Anderson MEP

Alan Stewart, Vice President of Ballymena Borough Chamber of Commerce and Industry was part of the delegation. Alan said “I would like to thank Martina Anderson MEP for hosting the delegation. I found the trip to be very worthwhile and beneficial”.