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27 June 2007 - Economy Minister promotes Northern Ireland trade in U.S

Vienna, VA – Economy Minister Nigel Dodds today met with key business leaders in Fairfax County, as part of the Invest Northern Ireland (Invest NI) trade mission to the United States.
The networking event was organized by Fairfax County Economic Development Authority, 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, Virginia.
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 U.S. has become the most important market for our products and services, outside of the British Isles. North American customers, mostly those in the U.S., purchase around $2 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 U.S. 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 honor and an opportunity to build relationships in Northern Ireland."
Joint organizers of the Trade Force TradeMission, Alex King MBE, Deputy Leader, Kent County CouncilandStephen Castle, Essex County CouncilCabinet Member for Economic Development, Regeneration and the 2012 Games, said: “As representativesof the great counties ofKent and Essex, weare very pleased to be meeting with colleagues from Northern Ireland against the backdrop of the Smithsonian Festival.
“This is an enormous opportunity for usto strengthen the already powerfultransatlantic links in business, trade,and culture andit 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 toeconomic 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:
  • Consilium Technologies, Antrim – a developer of IT applications for the public sector
  • Cooneen Textiles, Fivemiletown – a manufacturer of children’s character nightwear for customers such as Disney
  • Data Solution Technology, Londonderry – developer of software for handheld devices such      as PDAs and tablet PCs.
  • ECIT, Queen’s University Belfast – advanced digital telecommunications research
  • EG Information Consulting, Belfast – software development and web-based applications
  • Hawk Protection, Fivemiletown – development of personnel protection systems
  • Meridio, Belfast – developer of enterprise documents management software
  • Minority Report NI, Belfast – film and television protection
  • No Mean City, Kircubbin – supplier of limited edition fine art prints
  • Sensor Technology and Devices, Newtownabbey – electronic sensors
  • Silvertongue Software, Derry – technology for computer games
  • Ulster Journals, Belfast – publishers