Transatlantic trade on the menu

Larne’s business, civic and community connections with the South Carolina region in the US were high on the menu at a lunchtime briefing session at LEDCOM last week.

A group of local companies joined a number of civic and community leaders in meeting a delegation of business people from South Carolina and Virginia who were visiting Northern Ireland as part of the CANITA initiative (Carolinas Northern Ireland Trade Association).

The initiative, which is run in partnership by Larne’s local enterprise agency LEDCOM and the South Carolina-based York County Economic Development Board, was first launched in 2002.

The keynote speakers at the event, Mark Farris, Director of York County Economic Development and Virginia-based business consultant David Denny, presented an overview of the US economy and highlighted the opportunities for local companies in joint ventures, licensing and trade in the two southern states.

Two companies from Virginia on the look out for business opportunities and partnerships in Northern Ireland were part of the American delegation. Harriet Anderson, President of promotional rug designer Smiling Bulldog and Joe Tatum, Chief Operating Officer from energy management company ADMmicro, took part in the lunchtime briefing and also held a series of meetings with East Antrim-based businesses as part of the overall visit.

CANITA is a transatlantic economic development programme that arose out of the sister-city relationship first forged between Larne and Clover, South Carolina, in 1997.

The programme is supported by the International Fund for Ireland, Invest Northern Ireland, CORE, Larne Borough Council-Larne Development Forum, the South Carolina Department of Commerce and the EU Building Sustainable Prosperity Programme.

Speaking at the event, LEDCOM Chief Executive Ken Nelson said: “We are delighted to welcome our American colleagues and friends back to Larne to take another step in this long-term programme of contact, promotional activity and trade missions between East Antrim and the Carolinas. As the links created between the two regions continue to grow, I am confident we will see the emergence of tangible business partnerships.”

Mark Farris said: “CANITA builds upon valuable civic, community and economic links already established between Clover and Larne. But in the context of the global economy there is added benefit for both regions in supporting the creation of trade opportunities and business matchmaking, as well as in exchanging advice, research and information between the two economic development agencies.”

Under CANITA a trade mission from Northern Ireland to South Carolina and Virginia will take place in September 2008.

East Antrim companies interested in taking part should contact Geraldine Smyth at LEDCOM on: 028 2826 9973 or email geraldinesmyth@ledcomwbp.org.