US trade mission forges partnerships between Rhode Island and Leeds business leaders

The first US trade mission since June’s Brexit decision saw dignitaries and business leaders visit Leeds on Wednesday (September 21st) to meet with their Yorkshire counterparts.

The delegation from Providence, Rhode Island, which included the State’s Secretary of Commerce Stefan Pryor, was welcomed by business and civic leaders, including Leeds City Council CEO Tom Riordan at a summit lunch hosted by global audit, tax and consulting firm RSM.

The trade visit focused on forging links between the New England state of Rhode Island and Leeds.

The delegation of 15, which visited London earlier this week, was invited to Leeds to explore cultivating business tourism and education links between the two regions, as well as having trade meetings with potential customers and suppliers.

Kevin O’Connor, RSM’s regional managing partner for Yorkshire and the North East, said: “The US market presents a wealth of reciprocal trading and investment opportunities for Yorkshire firms.

“Bringing together businesses, civic leaders and leading educators from the two regions to discuss what they can do to help each other is the first step in what we hope will be a mutually beneficial relationship.

“As a global network, we draw on local knowledge and expertise to help support our clients to successfully expand the reach of their business in the UK and internationally. The visit was not only a great opportunity to forge stronger links with the US and the Leeds City Region, but we showcased what Yorkshire has to offer.”

During the summit, Secretary Pryor also commented: “Rhode Island and Yorkshire are both regions that were built on the back of the industrial revolution and are in the midst of reinventing themselves for the twenty-first century.

“Our visit to Leeds is an important step toward cementing ties that will help companies in Rhode Island and Yorkshire find mutual success in the sectors and industries defining the future of the global economy. We’re thankful to everyone who has made this opportunity possible and we look forward to a future of economic progress in both of our communities.”

The US delegation, which included experts in retail logistics, manufacturers, university Bryant, and representatives of the State’s trade teams, also underwent a series of meetings with local firms and trade advisers from DIT (formerly UKTI).

The trade visit, which was supported by Santander and UKTI as well as hosts RSM, was initiated by transatlantic marketing firm Great British Marketing, with the aim of creating business links between the cities, advisers and exporters on both sides of the Atlantic.

Paul Snape of Great British Marketing, added: “Rhode Island and Providence is home to some fantastic universities, businesses and tourist destinations, much the same as Leeds and the rest of Yorkshire, and it makes perfect sense for similar regions to work together to promote international trade.

“Leeds has to think globally if it is going to take advantage of its position at the heart of the Northern Powerhouse, and thrive in these new and interesting times for UK businesses.

“As one of the UK’s leading centres of finance, law, manufacturing and education, the city has huge potential.

“We need to take the initiative to seek out new relationships and make business people all over the world aware that this is a world class city to do business with.”

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