Pictured at the conference are Liam Reid (Diageo), Ann McGregor (NI Chamber), Nick Coburn (Ulster Carpets) and Gary Annett (MJM Group).

Northern Ireland companies must grasp opportunities around globalisation in order to help the local economy grow, the President of Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NI Chamber) has said.

Nick Coburn was speaking at a major export conference hosted by NI Chamber at which guests heard how leading exporters including Ulster Carpets, Diageo, MJM Group and Christies Direct, have succeeded in growing their businesses overseas.

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The conference was supported by headline sponsor Ulster Carpets and NI Chamber’s SME Partner Power NI, with supporting sponsors BEYOND Business Travel and DSV Air and Sea.

Mr Coburn said without export growth, the local economy risked further reliance on the public sector.

Mr Coburn, who is also Managing Director of Ulster Carpets, commented:

“For the Northern Ireland economy, exports is a must-do. Unless we become stronger in exports, it will be difficult to move away from reliance on the public sector.

“Globalisation is here to stay – the global economy grew by 3 per cent last year. It represents a huge opportunity for our exporters. Northern Ireland has a lot to offer.”

The event which took place at Titanic Belfast was attended by around 200 businesses who also heard from experts across a range of issues including e-commerce, innovation, logistics and business travel.

They also had the opportunity to take part in workshops and have one to one meetings with overseas representatives from South East Asia, Russia, US, UAE, Africa, CEE and the Philippines.

Steve Sarowitz, Founder and CEO of Paylocity and a Director at Payescape, provided the keynote address on global entrepreneurship.

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