Belfast Question Time: "we must take lessons from Dublin"

Belfast should look to how Dublin has branded itself to attract investment and work together with city to open itself up to further business.

Panellists speaking at Estates Gazettes Question Time event at the Grand Opera House in Belfast agreed that Stormont needed to be more proactive in promoting the Northern Irish capital.

Simon McEvoy, director for Belfast office agency for Savills said Dublin always had a clear idea of selling a ‘Brand Ireland’.

“Stormont needs to be looking at our Irish neighbours to see how well they have been attracting and retaining business, and helping themgrow.

“Dublin has taken the cluster effect well. Ireland has had a 20-year head start on us due to the political system but there is no reason why we can’t start to catch up. Dublin has always had clear idea of what it was selling it knew what sectors it was chasing and planned for these by investing in skills. We can learn a lot from what they did.”

Belfast could also relieve the strain on an overheatedDublin market, according to Michael Graham of Aurora Prime Real Estate.

Craig Logan, Bank of Ireland, agreed. Belfast provided a compelling proposition because of its low occupational costs and ready accessto talent, he said.

But delegates emphasised that infrastructure needed to be improved if the city was to thrive.

Suzanne Wylie, chief executive of Belfast City Council,said: “the nature of the message relating to Dublin has to change. I don’t think it has to be an aggressive competitive approach. It can be win-win. We need to look towards Dublin and how accessible that corridor is, and our air routes.”
Andrew Webb, economist at Webb Advisory suggested Stormont was more of a hindrance than a help. “They should just get out of the way and let Belfast get on with it. I would be pushing for a City Deal,” he said.

by Shekha Vyas