Council will continue to '˜work collectively' across borders

Over the past decade, the EU has spent over £1bn funding infrastructure and peace building projects across the north and in Irish border areas.

The north west region has been a major benefactor, with infrastructure such as the Peace Bridge, Ebrington projects, the Council’s City of Derry Airport, the Science Park at Fort George, local museums, greenways and the city centre regeneration, among the projects developed with EU funding.

The majority of people who voted in Foyle -78.1% had opted to remain within the EU.

The Foyle ‘remain’ vote was the fourth highest across the 382 constituencies in the UK.

A spokesperson for Derry City and Strabane District Council vowed to continue working with cross border international partners for the betterment of the region and its people today after the result was announced.

A Council spokeswoman told the Journal they “will continue to work over the next number of weeks and months with our partners and stakeholders on a local and cross border level, national and international level to drive forward the economy and work collectively to promote the city and district as a good place to do business”.

She added: “The city and region has a very strong track record for attracting inward investment and it will continue to work to maximise opportunities to attract investment, create jobs and promote our tourism offering.”

Meanwhile, reacting to the vote to exit the EU, Alastair Hamilton, Chief Executive of Invest Northern Ireland said the region remains a“As part of the 5th largest economy in the world, we are confident that Northern Ireland will continue to succeed as an attractive location for inward investment, in particular from our largest target market, the USA; and that the reduction in Corporation Tax will play an invaluable role in creating a business-friendly environment to support job creation, based on the combination of tax, talent and value.

“As the EU sells more to the UK than we do to them, we are positive that mutually beneficial trading arrangements will ensure continued access to the EU market, whilst also having the freedom to develop new bi-lateral agreements in emerging markets and other geographies.

“Ultimately, Invest NI will continue to offer and deliver the fullest range of support to both local and internationally owned businesses to drive economic growth. We will also fully explore all potential new opportunities that may emerge following the referendum result. “This is the message that I will take to the USA next week as I meet with potential new investors.”