Local Government supporting local industry

COLERAINE Borough Council has been running a Trade Development Programme, with the aim of helping local businesses realise their full potential through selling overseas. The programme was delivered by Full Circle Management Solutions and has supported over 17 companies during the previous eighteen months.
By The Newsroom
Published 13th Jan 2012, 06:53 BST

The Trade Development Programme is one of a suite of seven programmes, all designed by Coleraine Borough Council to support local industry in the Borough.

As Martin Clark, Economic Development Officer at Coleraine Borough Council explained: “The Trade Development programme has generated some great results in terms of increased sales and creating jobs.

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“Coleraine Borough Council wants a thriving business community, while there is so much competition out there, businesses are continually seeking improvements. The Trade Programme provided a focus for businesses to analyse their strengths, address weaknesses and grab opportunities.”

One such business which has done just that and been highly successful with a 500% increase in export sales and providing an additional three jobs, is ATG Group.

Established in 2006 by Dr Mark McKinney, ATG Group provides a range of consultancy solutions in the area of pollution and land remediation. Working across the UK, ATG has quickly developed a reputation as a skilled and experienced provider of solutions with clients including many construction companies, local authorities and government bodies.

Following a desire to develop its market overseas, ATG Group embarked on the Trade Development Programme with the support of Coleraine Borough Council, Limavady Borough Council and Moyle District Council.

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Commenting on the programme David Graham, Business Development Manager at ATG Group said, “We were delighted to participate on the Trade Development Programme and the support from this programme in terms of guidance and advice has enabled us to implement our growth plans and our business has shown an increase in employee numbers as well as an increase in sales, both in local and export markets, and programmes of this nature from the Council are fundamental in our development.”

For further queries about the Trade Development Programme, please contact Martin Clark, Economic Development Officer at Coleraine Borough Council on: 028 7034 7043.

Related topics:Government