EDITOR’S COMMENT
Let’s not raise the white flag I
t is unfortunate that 2013 has begun with Northern Ireland leading national and international news bulletins for all the wrong reasons. Our investment and tourist bodies had to work incredibly hard to get the province featured in the global media during 2012 when we had so much great stuff to shout about. But bad news will always be of more interest to news organisations than good and it took only a few images of masked men throwing petrol bombs at the police and storming City Hall for much of that positive work to be undone. It would be ill advised to dismiss the anger felt by sections of our community over the reduction in the number of days on which the union flag flies. We should not want any part of society to feel disenfranchised. But it seems clear the protests have been hi-jacked by those with ulterior motives, and
nothing can excuse the attacks that have been perpetrated on homes, businesses and police officers. Business leaders have been consistent in their calls for the violence to stop, but their message that the rioting is damaging the economy largely fell on deaf ears. Unless politicians, the police and community groups can work together to reach a lasting solution with those intent on protesting, then we risk losing investment from overseas and tourists going elsewhere. We’ve tried not to focus too much on the union flag dispute in our Leaders in Business issue in which we interview some of those likely to shape the economic agenda in 2013. However, you’ll see some of those writing outlook articles reference the disproportionate effect that the actions of a small number of people could have on the chances of a prosperous year. Those in retail and hospitality in particular
have been directly impacted by lost business as people stayed away over the holidays, but the loss of confidence has filtered down across the economy. We know much of what is happening is localised, but the international perception that it is a widespread problem will undoubtedly be damaging. One thing we can be sure of it is that the business community here will not raise a white flag and give up in the face of the latest trouble. Our businesses have proved themselves to be resilient in the past and will do so again. Let’s hope over the coming months the focus of the world will be back on all that’s good about the new Northern Ireland.
Editor: Symon Ross Manager: Sonia Armstrong Deputy Manager: Sylvie Brando Advertising Executive: Stuart Hackney Art Editor: Stuart Gray Production Manager: Catherine Mercer Cover Photography: Richard Trainor Publisher: James & Gladys Greer
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