Member Article

Irish Business Minister Heather Humphreys leads Enterprise Ireland’s trade mission to Birmingham and the Midlands.

55 Enterprise Ireland clients participating in Trade Mission focused on deepening trade ties through greater collaboration and partnership

Thursday 11th April 2019: Reaffirming Ireland’s commitment to maintaining the strongest trading relationship with the UK, in a post Brexit era, the Irish Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys will lead Enterprise Ireland’s three-day trade mission to Birmingham, and the West Midlands as part of the ‘Midlands Engine’. Commencing today, the trade mission will focus on key growth opportunities across construction, manufacturing, digital technologies and smart solutions that improve the lives of citizens. Fifty-five Enterprise Ireland clients are participating on the trade mission, from major players; PM Group and King & Moffat, to start-ups; Over-C and CitySwifter.

The trade mission aims to strengthen the pre-existing trade relationship between the UK and Ireland. Working for both countries, the mission gives SMEs in both markets access to the expertise and experience within each market. Through this, Enterprise Ireland hopes to help UK businesses improve their competitiveness by introducing them to an innovative and experienced Irish supply base.

Irish companies contribute significantly to the economic success of the UK, with Enterprise Ireland clients employing over 100,000 people in the UK. Over the last 3-4 years a number of Irish companies have established a presence in Birmingham. Ireland is a partner which can and does contribute significantly to the UK’s growth. The trade mission focuses on two major growth areas; Birmingham and the West Midlands as part of the “Midlands Engine”.

As the skills agenda is at the forefront of every developed economy, the Minister will be interested to learn the UK’s approach to developing apprenticeship programmes in a visit to Make UK’s Technology Hub. The Minister will also be visiting the Warwick Manufacturing Group. The highlight of the visit is a Trade Lunch in Birmingham’s Council House with the Leader Ian Ward and over 100 guests. The lunch emphasises both the UK’s and Ireland’s commitment to ensuring political and trading relations continue to grow.

Irish Business Minister Heather Humphreys who is leading the trade mission said: “The UK is our long-standing trading partner and the Irish Government, through Enterprise Ireland, is committed to consolidating our exports to the UK market and continuing to contribute to the success of the UK. Currently over 100,000 people are employed by Enterprise Ireland backed companies in the UK. With such strong historic, business, cultural and heritage ties between Ireland and Birmingham, we are delighted to witness its renaissance and we are committed to the strengthening ties and building new partnerships into the future.

“Regardless of the outcome of Brexit, Ireland wants the closest possible trading relationship with the UK because this works for businesses on both sides of the Irish sea. It remains our strong hope that the UK parliament will ratify the Withdrawal Agreement to make for as seamless as possible a transition to a new trading relationship between the EU and the UK.” added Minister Humphreys.

Deirdre McPartlin, UK Manager, Enterprise Ireland said: “Irish companies and their UK partners tell us the importance of maintaining the strongest possible trading links. We are delighted that Minister Humphreys is leading this mission and we have received the most outstanding welcome from our partners in Birmingham and the West Midlands. Many Irish companies, proven to be dynamic partners, have committed to the region by establishing their own local presence. The trade mission this week will demonstrate Irish capabilities across construction, manufacturing, industry 4.0 and digital technology. with a focus on deepening mutually beneficial collaboration with our UK partners.”

During the visit Minister Humphreys will be engaging with senior officials and decision makers in the region, Councilor Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council and first Mayor of the West Midlands Combined Authority, Andy Street.

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