Economy minister promotes Northern Ireland trade in USA
Thursday, 28 June 2007Economy Minister Nigel Dodds met with key business leaders in Fairfax County, as part of the Invest NI trade mission to the USA.
The networking event was organised by Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA), in conjunction with Invest NI and Trade Force Group from Kent and Essex County Councils in England.
It provided an opportunity for the Minister and the 12-strong trade mission companies from Northern Ireland to meet potential trading partners from across Fairfax County, just outside of Washington DC.
Commenting on the event the Minister said: “We must take advantage of every prospect to deliver real and sustained economic change in Northern Ireland. I want to ensure our companies are given the support to seize opportunities and establish international trade and business partnerships. “
A wide range of companies from Fairfax, Northern Ireland and England attended the event, including commercial IT, financial, software, communications and technology management service providers.
The Minister continued: “In addition to building on our international trade and technology networks, it has been an important mission to promote Northern Ireland as a place with greater stability, hope and optimism for the future, following the formation of our locally-elected Executive.
“The US has become the most important market for our products and services, outside of the British Isles. North American customers, mostly those in the US, purchase around £1 billion worth of goods from Northern Ireland suppliers. That is just over 20% of our total exports.
Mr Dodds concluded: “I am determined to build on these strong commercial links and encourage greater economic cooperation in the areas of investment, trade, technology transfer and strategic alliances.”
Dr Gerald L Gordon, President and CEO of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority is greatly encouraged by the growing business relationship between Northern Ireland and Fairfax.
He said: “"Fairfax County is an obvious location for companies from Northern Ireland, Kent and Essex to locate for US operations. This event will advance the connections between them and Fairfax County and our business communities. To have Minister Dodds join us is both an honour and an opportunity to build relationships in Northern Ireland."
Joint organisers of the Trade Force Trade Mission, Alex King MBE, Deputy Leader, Kent County Council and Stephen Castle, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Regeneration and the 2012 Games, said: “As representatives of the great counties of Kent and Essex, we are very pleased to be meeting with colleagues from Northern Ireland against the backdrop of the Smithsonian Festival.
“This is an enormous opportunity for us to strengthen the already powerful transatlantic links in business, trade and culture and it is particularly fitting that this reception is hosted by FCEDA who continue to set the standard in Fairfax County for an innovative and highly successful approach to economic development and inward investment."
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: 0044 7879 842680
4. During out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager
number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
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