Member Article

Irish Trade Mission Lands in Manchester

Enterprise Ireland, the Irish government agency and the third largest seed investor in Europe, is spearheading an important trade mission to the north of England. Taking place 18-19 April, this group is led by Irish Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys TD.

The arrival of this Irish delegation on UK soil confirms the importance of aligning Northern UK and Irish capabilities as a means of propelling the Northern Powerhouse initiative further forward.

Emphasising the opportunity for increased cross-border collaboration, this Irish contingent will be meeting with local senior officials, which include City Region Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham. The visit is being used to help Irish companies better understand Northern Powerhouse ambitions and explore how Irish capability in areas like construction, healthcare, recruiting and engaging and retaining talent can assist in the realisation of those ambitions.

Having launched its Northern Powerhouse Report in February 2018, Enterprise Ireland’s supporting trade mission is focused on the Greater Manchester region, an area equivalent to the size of the Irish market which has experienced a tremendous growth rate, overtaking London for the past consecutive two years.

In line with the region’s five-year vision, the trade mission will reinforce collaboration with Ireland to strengthen and support the UK Government’s Northern Powerhouse economic initiative, identifying sector-specific challenges and opportunities in the north of England. The Northern Powerhouse aims to rebalance the UK’s national economy, by maximising the combined potential of the north of England’s cities and city regions, including Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle, Sheffield and Tees Valley. If this region was a European country, it would be the 10th largest economy in Europe. With a focus on construction, healthcare, aerospace, talent management and water infrastructure, Enterprise Ireland’s trade mission aligns with the Northern Powerhouse’s ambitions and challenges, to improve public sector transport and other infrastructure, healthcare ambitions for greater efficiency and better patient outcomes, challenges in attracting and retaining the right talent pool to enable growth.

Major client deal announcements and expanded presences in the Northern Powerhouse region will also be announced.

Leading Enterprise Ireland’s Northern Powerhouse Trade Mission, Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys TD said: “As our long-standing trading partner, the UK is, and will remain, the largest export market for indigenous Irish companies. Clients of our State Agency Enterprise Ireland alone exported €7.5 billion in goods and services, representing 35% of total client exports, in 2016. As Brexit negotiations continue, the Irish Government, through Enterprise Ireland is committed to consolidating and growing Irish exports to the UK now and into the future. Engaging with senior business and political leaders of the Northern Powerhouse is critical to this effort: firstly, to realise the scale of this opportunity, and secondly, to see firsthand our shared ambitions with the Northern Powerhouse region.”

Marina Donohoe, Enterprise Ireland’s Director of the UK and Northern Europe said: “The Northern Powerhouse has proven its powerful growth potential, now growing faster than London. It’s a dynamic region that needs dynamic partners to achieve its ambitions and Irish companies, who already contribute significantly to the UK’s economic growth, employing over 100,000 in the UK, are positioned to leverage the extensive business and partnership opportunities that the Northern Powerhouse presents.

“While the uncertainty which Brexit brings remains a challenge for companies, we continue to see growth opportunities within the market and we are expecting to see Irish exports to the UK grow in 2017. Aligned with our market diversification strategy, Enterprise Ireland is supporting Irish companies to diversify their customer range and geographic footprint in the UK, moving beyond the traditional ‘comfort zone’ of London – indeed some companies have found Manchester and other cities in the North of England to be their ideal launching pad into the UK market” added Marina Donohoe.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Enterprise Ireland .