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The purpose of the visit is to strengthen existing and build new relationships, promote the North West City region as a good place for investment and to sell priority sector opportunities and develop transatlantic innovation partnerships to drive mutually beneficial opportunities. For the participating companies, the trip is a fantastic opportunity to help them generate new business opportunities in the United States market.

During their visit, the delegation will attend an engagement event at the Irish Diaspora Centre in Philadelphia, and meet with representatives from the City of Philadelphia Department of Commerce and the chair and board members of the Irish American Business Chambers Network (IABCN).

In Boston, the delegation will take part in a tour of the Cambridge Innovation Centre and the Harvard Innovation Lab as well as a reception hosted by the Irish Consulate to promote the Investment proposition of the region.

The trade mission is an opportunity for the North West City Region delegation to present a unique sales pitch to prospective investors citing the excellent cross-border opportunity by providing access to both UK and EU markets as a unique proposition. Other major selling points include the region’s genuine talent pool, our collaborative business and government environment and amazing quality of life.

The region’s very strong track record of successful industry led workforce development with academia and training providers, existing R&D infrastructure and innovation hubs, as well as its competitive cost model and the fact that it is home to growing number of multinational companies are all very strong pluses for those considering new investment locations.

An Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Cllr Liam Blaney, who travelled to the US as part of the delegation, said it is hugely important that the Ireland North West City region continues to link in with its contacts and partners in the US and across the globe to reiterate the message that the region is open for business with an extensive talent pool with access to both the UK and EU markets.

Councillor Blaney said: “I believe the strength of the travelling delegation that includes both Councils, the local Universities and Development partners demonstrates the importance placed on developing and maintaining linkages with key partners on the East Coast of America, as we continue to work together to attract investment to the North West City Region”

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council Cllr Sandra Duffy said that it is hugely important that the region can build on its strong links and connections with the United States.

Mayor Duffy explained that since 2011 there have been 51 Foreign Direct Investment projects across the NW cross-border city region accounting for €1.98bn and the creation of 4320 jobs. The top 30 investments were delivered from 26 companies and accounted for 97% of capital investment and 90% jobs created respectively,

Mayor Duffy said: “The US remains a significant investor in Ireland (both north and south), top investors include Abbotts, Optum Inc (subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group), Seagate, Allstate NI, OneSourceVirtual and Metaverse Modsquad. The delegation is an opportunity to showcase what this cross-border city region has to offer in terms of what any business and global company needs to succeed. We offer a strong ecosystem, a genuine talent pool and access to both EU and UK markets. Major investors such as Allstate, DuPont, Optum (United Health Group), Zeus, Abbott, Tata Consultancy Services, Seagate and Terex Corporation are already reaping the benefits of our unique location. Intrinsic to our region’s success has been the supportive business environment, collaborative culture and role our further and higher education plays in ensuring a sustainable pipeline of talent with the right skillsets and this is something we will be actively promoting as part of this trip.”

One of the key elements of the investment mission is the attendance of the delegation at the annual Golden Bridges Conference that is being held this Friday, 18 November, when political leaders, business, community representatives, tourism and education providers from the North West City Region and Boston will join together to further bind their relationship.

This is the first year since 2019 that the hugely popular and influential transatlantic conference is being hosted physically after being held virtually for the previous two years. It will feature a range of speakers and delegates from the US, the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, who will discuss themes of investment, innovation, tourism, culture and education.

The delegation is led by Donegal County Council and Derry City and Strabane District Council in partnership with Ulster University, Atlantic Technological University, Udaras na Gaeltacht and the Donegal Local Enterprise.

Image Caption: An Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Cllr. Liam Blaney and Garry Martin, Director of Economic Development, Information Systems & Emergency Services at Donegal County Council meeting representatives from Plymouth County as part of the delegation visit.