Trade mission from Rhode Island USA set for September as Dublin economy grows
A trade mission from the US state of Rhode Island will spend a week in Ireland in September, as the Dublin economy thrives with a post Brexit boost driving increased trade interest from US firms.
Among the delegates on the mission are representatives from technology and medical device companies, law firms, logistics and warehousing providers, manufacturing firms and advertising agencies.
Two of the 25 delegates are US intellectual property and trademark specialists Donald Frugé and Alan Feeney of Providence-based Feeney Law.
Donald Frugé commented: “There have always been good links between the old country and New England, but these are seeing a new relevance as Ireland stands to be the last significant English speaking part of the EU, and an increasingly attractive base for US firms wanting to trade with Europe.”
The mission, which is supported by the US Commercial Service and organised by the state’s trade body, Commerce RI, will arrive in Cork on 16 September, and a programme of events and one-to-one meetings is being planned with local businesses and trade advisers in Kinsale, Galway, Dublin and Cork.
One of a series of trade missions run annually from Rhode Island, the visit to Ireland follows the recent opening of the Ireland West International Trade Centre in Providence in May this year.
The initiative provides a package of support and office space for Irish firms to test the US as a market and is being managed by local authorities in the West of Ireland, Western Development Commission and Ireland West Airport Knock.
Mr Frugé said: “We are receiving more and more enquiries from Irish firms looking to trade with the USA and wanting advice on what legal preparation is needed when first trading with, or setting up in the US. We have seen a large increase as a result of the shifting dynamic with the UK’s likely trade status after the Brexit vote last year.”
He added: “It will be good to get the chance to meet Irish business people face to face, and also to establish long-term relationships with some of the lawyers based around the Republic who have international clients, or who want to work as our Irish and EU delivery partners.”
Firms or parties interested in meeting with Feeney Law, or other delegate firms, can contact Commerce RI via the form on the right of this page