Belfast Looks to Nova Scotia Trade
A Northern Ireland trade delegation lands in Nova Scotia today in search of business partners and new trading opportunities.
Lord Mayor of Belfast Alban Maginness is arriving with a delegation of technology-related businesses interested in fostering economic development and cultural ties with Nova Scotia.
The delegation includes eight councillors, representatives of five information technology and biotech companies, and leading medical staff from one of Belfast's major teaching hospitals. The delegation will tour InNOVAcorp, Dalhousie University, the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre, and several information technology companies in the Halifax area.
"This mission builds on our previous missions to Northern Ireland and confirms the time we've spent cultivating this market is time well spent," said Francis MacKenzie, executive director of Investment and Trade for Economic Development and Tourism. "Some IT firms are already benefiting from their partnerships with Northern Ireland businesses. We hope to see even more partnerships and alliances formed over the next few days."
Wayne Bell, CEO of Digital FX in Dartmouth, was part of a Nova Scotia trade mission to Belfast last spring, when he signed three strategic alliances. This time, he'll be demonstrating what his company can do on his turf.
"Now, I've got two hopefuls coming here," said Mr. Bell. "Northern Ireland produces 60 per cent of all software to the European market. For us, it's vital to establish personal relationships with these people. The fact that they're friendly and professional makes it easy to do business there."
The visit is part of the Atlantic Rim Agreement signed in November between the Province of Nova Scotia and the cities of Belfast and Boston. The agreement focuses on trade and investment opportunities among the three regions in areas such as information technology and biotechnology.
Another memorandum of understanding was signed last spring between Nova Scotia and Belfast, during a provincial trade mission to Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Under the Atlantic Rim Agreement with Belfast, Nova Scotia will gain priority access to the European market. Any partnerships formed with Northern Ireland companies will give Nova Scotian companies swifter access to the European community's 350 million consumers.
Francis Costello, who helped draft the Atlantic Rim Agreement on behalf of Boston said, "This is an important trade visit aimed at providing benefits to Nova Scotia and Belfast alike. We live in a smaller world, and by providing access to each other's markets and the areas beyond, our companies can grow and prosper in the world marketplace."
On Saturday, Lord Mayor Maginness will be the keynote speaker at the annual dinner of the D'Arcy McGee chair of Irish studies at Saint Mary's University.