MORE than 200 Bury and Bolton businessmen and women had the opportunity to meet the Secretary of State for Industry, Stephen Byers.
And they were able to make their voices heard when the trade and industry chief attended a dinner hosted by Bolton and Bury Chamber.
The Minister spoke about the importance of the enterprise culture and the Government's moves to improve the integration of local business support via its small business service.
Chamber members have Mr Byers to thank for championing recently introduced measures to protect and clarify the use of the "Chamber of Commerce" name in the UK.
The Minister said that this legislation would ensure that only accredited organisations can call themselves a Chamber.
Chamber chief executive designate Mr Andrew Ratcliff, commenting on the dinner, said: "The Minister really took the trouble to speak to guests and it was an excellent opportunity for members to make the voice of Bolton and Bury business heard in the corridors of power."
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