Economy minister set for business mission to us
Thursday, 14 June 2007Economy Minister Nigel Dodds will lead a 12-strong business mission to Washington, USA, from 24-29 June 2007.
One of the companies travelling with the mission is Hawk Protection, a Fivemiletown-based company, specialising in personnel protection systems.
Hawk is returning to the US this month, following its success during a similar mission earlier this year. As a result of that trip, the Tyrone company agreed a £1million export distribution agreement to supply two police authorities in Virginia and other regions, including Jamaica, with personnel protection systems.
Mr Dodds believes such significant contracts, such as that secured by Hawk, are testament to the importance of these missions.
He said: “Economic links between America and Northern Ireland are particularly strong, with North American customers, mostly those in the US, purchasing goods worth around £1billion from Northern Ireland suppliers.
“I am determined to strengthen this relationship by encouraging greater economic cooperation in areas such as investment, trade, technology transfer and strategic alliances.
“The forthcoming mission will enable the participating companies to benefit from the increased awareness in the US of greater stability, hope and optimism here, following devolution. Northern Ireland’s participation in the 41st Smithsonian Folklife Festival in the National Mall in Washington is also underpinning the tremendous opportunities for trade among the two countries.”
Eugene Greene, Hawk Protection’s Managing Director, said: ““The recent contracts are worth around £1million to us and will help establish Hawk Protection as a world leader in the supply of personnel protection systems.
“This success follows the last mission to the US and our decision recently to appoint a new distributor in what is a market with immense potential for us.
“We’ve also benefited from the support that Invest NI has provided towards product development and marketing through the extensive trade mission programme.”
During his visit to the US, Mr Dodds will meet with business leaders in Fairfax County, Virginia, during a networking event for companies on the mission. He will also visit the Smithsonian Festival and the Titanic Exhibition in Union Station in Washington and meet leading business representatives in New York and Boston.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
1. Twelve companies from across Northern Ireland are taking part in the Invest NI trade mission.
2. Seven of the companies are visiting the US for the first time on such a mission. A full list of the companies are:
a. Consilium Technologies, Antrim – a developer of IT applications for the public sector
b. Cooneen Textiles, Fivemiletown – a manufacturer of children’s character nightwear for customers such as Disney
c. Data Solution Technology, Londonderry – developer of software for handheld devices such as PDAs and tablet PCs.
d. ECIT, Queen’s University Belfast – advanced digital telecommunications research
e. EG Information Consulting, Belfast – software development and web-based applications
f. Hawk Protection, Fivemiletown – development of personnel protection systems
g. Meridio, Belfast – developer of enterprise documents management software
h. Minority Report NI, Belfast – film and television protection
i. No Mean City, Kircubbin – supplier of limited edition fine art prints
j. Sensor Technology and Devices, Newtownabbey – electronic sensors
k. Silvertongue Software, Derry – technology for computer games
l. Ulster Journals, Belfast – publishers
3. Media queries to Nicola Steele, DETI Press Office, Tel: 028 9052 9297.
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