LEO Boston Group Photo Clive Wasson
COMPANIES showcasing the North West region’s creative, life science, agri/food and advance manufacturing and engineering industries are travelling to Boston Massachusetts later this year as part of a joint collaboration between Councils in Derry/Strabane and Donegal.
The trip is part of the regions strategy to promote inward investment and provide local businesses access to potential export opportunity.
The trip is being organised to showcase the region’s entrepreneurship and innovation and provide the companies with an opportunity to tap into the US market.
Among the companies from the Derry City and Strabane District Council area that are travelling as part of the delegation are AE Global (formerly Allpipe Engineering); The Clinical Translational Research and Innovation Centre (C-TRIC); ActionSense Ltd; Makematic; NeuroConcise Ltd; O’Neill’s Irish International Sports Co Ltd; Troll Inc; and Type 40 Creative.
While Aniar Cumhacht Teoranta; Algaran Teoranta; O’Donnell’s Bakery; Silver Birch Gallery; Meastoiri Domhanda Teo; Eilis Galbraith and DS Environmental Services Ltd from the Donegal County Council area will also be taking part.
Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Cllr Maolíosa McHugh speaking ahead of the visit says it presents businesses with a unique opportunity to tap into the US market and showcase their businesses to a new audience.
The Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Cllr Gerry McMonagle says the visit is part of the ongoing work being done to build on current links aimed at leading to real and long-term business and cultural links.
John Kelpie, Chief Executive of Derry City and Strabane District Council says that while the trip is very trade and investment focused, there will be a strong emphasis on education and further developing the strong cultural and economic linkages between the North West region and Massachusetts.
Seamus Neely, Chief Executive with Donegal County Council says the strong collaborative working relationship between the two Councils has been very successful to date in advancing the North West of Ireland as a region for business and economic growth, physical and environment development and community, social cohesion and wellbeing.
Accompanying Derry City and Strabane District Council and Donegal County Council will be representatives from Udaras na nGaeltachta, Donegal Local Enterprise Office, the Ulster University, Letterkenny Institute of Technology, the Nerve Centre, and the North West Regional College.
The visit is part of the ongoing positive work being done by the two Councils to establish strong economic development links and initiatives in the US.
John Kelpie says: “We can offer companies, with expansion plans the opportunity to trade within both the EU and UK regulatory environments. We can support this expansion through superfast broadband connectivity, a highly educated skills base and a competitive corporation tax base.”
Seamus Neely added: “The North West is ranked in the top 10 economies in the world for ease of doing business and starting a business, and has a strong and diverse SME base that reflects the spirit of entrepreneurship and we are looking forward to reinforcing that message to the US and showcasing our local businesses.”
The trade delegation will travel to the US in mid-November.
