The Chamber of Commerce movement in the NW has always been a force to be reckoned with, now more so than ever. In 2001, NWCCI (NW Chambers of Commerce Initiative) was launched by none other than the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese. Since then it has been the force behind cross border private sector lobbying in the region. With founder members Gweedore, Letterkenny, Londonderry, Strabane and Limavady firmly behind the initiative, the group last week welcomed a new addition to the team - Coleraine Borough Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Janice Tracey, CEO of the Chamber in Derry commented "Coleraine Chamber has done a brilliant job of uniting and strengthening the Chamber Movement in the North Coast. They are a welcome addition to the group and we all look forward to working with them on the issues that affect all of us in this region."

NWCCI Chairman, Niall Birthistle formally welcomed the new member at an event sponsored by First Trust Bank and AIB last week, "On behalf of all our Chamber members I am very pleased to welcome Coleraine Borough Chamber into the organisation. Their presence will lend further weight to our efforts to lobby for cross border economic development. Coleraine Borough Chamber and the 'North Coast' region they represent combined with that of Derry's Walled City and Donegal's natural beauty make for an exciting tourist product and this is something NWCCI will be working hard to promote for the benefit of the region as a whole".

Chris McLean, President of Coleraine Borough Chamber said "Our aim is to be the voice of business throughout the Coleraine Borough and to ensure that this voice is being heard at local, regional, national and international levels. We are therefore very pleased to be part of NWCCI which we see as essential to support the future development of a sustainable and vibrant economy for the business community as a whole".

Having secured Peace funding from Co-Operation Ireland, NWCCI have appointed Richard McKean as project co-ordinator. Richard described how the excellent work achieved to date will be built upon with a program of activities aimed at strengthening the Gateway status of the sub region, promoting agreed common economic themes as well as furthering the chamber movement.

"The main focus for NWCCI over the coming months will be to strengthen and build upon the network of Chambers of Commerce within the North West Region. This will involve a program of business planning among the Chambers of Commerce involved in the initiative. Also NWCCI will be seeking to ensure that the needs and concerns of business in the area are continually brought to the attention of the relevant Government bodies, of both jurisdictions. The research already carried out by NWCCI, contained within the North West Economic Corridor Study , will provide the foundation and direction for further investigative work. Coleraine Chamber, as a new partner, will add enormous value to our work"