BOMB TOWN'S INVESTMENT PLEA TO THE PRESIDENT
Bomb town's investment plea to the President
By ADRIENNE McGILL
OMAGH'S business community made an impassioned plea to the US President yesterday as he visited the town to offer condolences to the families of the 28 people killed in the terrorist bomb atrocity.
In a letter delivered to Bill Clinton and signed by the President of Omagh Chamber of Commerce, Michael Gaine, the business community urged the President to impress on American investors the viability of locating in Omagh despite the recent tragic events.
"As we take the first steps to rebuild Omagh and its economy we are comforted by the good wishes of tens of thousands of your fellow countrymen and women and well wishers from around the world. We know their thoughts are with us as we begin our long journey of renewal.
"We are a people of good faith and this is a good country, but as you have come to share our grief, we are not ashamed to ask for your help. Ireland has always welcomed American investment and US companies, with the faith to invest in Northern Ireland and its people, have prospered."
The letter added that the forthcoming IDB eleven-city investment tour of the USA would provide an excellent opportunity to promote the business opportunities which existed in Omagh.
It went on: "As Omagh has a significant unemployment problem we request that you tell your business leaders about us so that they might give serious consideration to our town as a location in which to site a manufacturing plant.
"You can tell them of our determination to rebuild our economic base, about the good community relations which exist and the abundance of skilled people available. This would be of great practical and long term benefit to us.
"We understand the turmoil of world politics and global economics which demand your attention and your time. In that knowledge we are the more comforted that you have remembered a small town and its problems."
Earlier, at the Waterfront Hall, Bill Clinton said Northern Ireland "could count on America" for continued support and help "promote cross-border and cross-community understanding, create microsoft facilities to help small businesses get off the ground, and support, the trade and investment that will benefit both our people."
Welcoming the President to Northern Ireland, Belfast's Lord Mayor David Alderdice said one of the most tangible aspects of American support to Northern Ireland was through business.
"The United States continues to be our main foreign investor - and the continued involvement of your fellow Americans, combined with our high qualified, skilled workforce, strengthens and builds on the growing economic reputation of Northern Ireland.
Leading members of the business community said the visit sent a strong message across the world. "There have been a variety of suggestions about President Clinton's motive for this visit - but the fact remains that the leader of the free western world is here and we should not lose sight of the opportunity this presents," said Ann Shaw chairman of the IOD.
Stephen Kingon, chairman of the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce, said the President's visit was a major coup which would act as a catalyst for potential inward investors.
By ADRIENNE McGILL
OMAGH'S business community made an impassioned plea to the US President yesterday as he visited the town to offer condolences to the families of the 28 people killed in the terrorist bomb atrocity.
In a letter delivered to Bill Clinton and signed by the President of Omagh Chamber of Commerce, Michael Gaine, the business community urged the President to impress on American investors the viability of locating in Omagh despite the recent tragic events.
"As we take the first steps to rebuild Omagh and its economy we are comforted by the good wishes of tens of thousands of your fellow countrymen and women and well wishers from around the world. We know their thoughts are with us as we begin our long journey of renewal.
"We are a people of good faith and this is a good country, but as you have come to share our grief, we are not ashamed to ask for your help. Ireland has always welcomed American investment and US companies, with the faith to invest in Northern Ireland and its people, have prospered."
The letter added that the forthcoming IDB eleven-city investment tour of the USA would provide an excellent opportunity to promote the business opportunities which existed in Omagh.
It went on: "As Omagh has a significant unemployment problem we request that you tell your business leaders about us so that they might give serious consideration to our town as a location in which to site a manufacturing plant.
"You can tell them of our determination to rebuild our economic base, about the good community relations which exist and the abundance of skilled people available. This would be of great practical and long term benefit to us.
"We understand the turmoil of world politics and global economics which demand your attention and your time. In that knowledge we are the more comforted that you have remembered a small town and its problems."
Earlier, at the Waterfront Hall, Bill Clinton said Northern Ireland "could count on America" for continued support and help "promote cross-border and cross-community understanding, create microsoft facilities to help small businesses get off the ground, and support, the trade and investment that will benefit both our people."
Welcoming the President to Northern Ireland, Belfast's Lord Mayor David Alderdice said one of the most tangible aspects of American support to Northern Ireland was through business.
"The United States continues to be our main foreign investor - and the continued involvement of your fellow Americans, combined with our high qualified, skilled workforce, strengthens and builds on the growing economic reputation of Northern Ireland.
Leading members of the business community said the visit sent a strong message across the world. "There have been a variety of suggestions about President Clinton's motive for this visit - but the fact remains that the leader of the free western world is here and we should not lose sight of the opportunity this presents," said Ann Shaw chairman of the IOD.
Stephen Kingon, chairman of the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce, said the President's visit was a major coup which would act as a catalyst for potential inward investors.
Further Information
Publisher: NEWS LETTER
Ref: NL/274
Published Date: 04-Sep-98
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