Derry
Derry (population 106,000), Northern Ireland's historic walled city has become a catalyst for economic development in the north west of Ireland. Situated at the head of Lough Foyle, the city is a major centre for the textile and clothing industry. Its industrial base has however broadened over the last 30-years or so. Industrial and cultural links have been established with Boston, San José and other American cities in order to encourage US investment in the area. Derry has the highest concentration of US investors in Northern Ireland.
IDB's industrial estates feature a wide variety of manufacturing and service activities. DuPont has a large polymer and synthetic fibre plant at Maydown. Other leading companies based in Derry include; Desmond & Sons, Foyle Meats, Maydown Precision Engineering , E&I Engineering, Arntz Belting (Germany), Seagate Technology (USA), Stream International. The IDBR (Inter Departmental Business Register) shows that there are 12 foreign owned businesses in City Council.
By 2000, the modernised port carried nearly 1,200,000 tonnes of freight, a 9.5% increase on the previous year. City of Derry Airport, recently upgraded, has recently the range of direct UK services it offers.
Research and development are also key areas. DuPont is collaborating with the IRTU study group, and Magee College Derry has set up a garment and textile research project (GTTA). In addition, a new science and technology park, which houses the European headquarters of IT Conglomerate Stream International, has opened. Derry's tourism industry has seen significant development in recent years, with, for example, the establishment of the Derry Visitor and Convention Bureau. |
