The first Belfast Entrepreneurship week started yesterday, beginning seven days of events aimed at encouraging people to set up in business on their own.

The EU-wide initiative, run jointly by Belfast City Council and Invest NI, includes seminars, workshops and presentations on issues such as the euro, tax, self-employment and business opportunities for women.

It includes Belfast: Open for Business, a showcase for local start-up companies, and Who Wants to be an Entrepreneur?, a facility to help people discover whether they are suited to becoming their own boss.

A spokesman for the city council said the week was aimed at young people and those already in business.

"We want people to think about expanding their horizons. There is massive growth potential in this area in the city," he said.

The programme caters for all age groups and also celebrates the best of business in the city.

Around 96 per cent of businesses currently operating in Belfast employ between 10 and 50 people, accounting for 40,000 jobs in total.

For more details, contact Belfast City Council on 048 90 270 491.