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19/11/19 Boston Mayor speaks of “strong ties” with North West during US trade visit

Boston Mayor

Mayor of Boston Marty Walsh meeting with Derry City and Strabane District Council Mayor Cllr Michaela Boyle and Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council Cllr Nicholas Crossan during a recent visit to Boston as part of a cross border trade delegation. At the meeting the North West delegation extended an invitation to Mayor Walsh to visit the region.

 

The Mayor of Boston Marty Walsh spoke of the special relationship between Boston and the North West City region of Ireland when he met with a delegation of civic leaders, officials and education institutions from Donegal and Derry Strabane who were in the US last week exploring opportunities for business and educational partnerships.

 

The delegation led by Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council Cllr. Nicholas Crossan and Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Cllr. Michaela Boyle met Mayor Walsh to showcase the North West region as a prime location for investment.

 

 "In a global economy, Boston needs strong ties with cities and regions around the world, and I'm proud that Boston has continued its special relationship with our counterparts in Ireland," said Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh. "Our partnership promotes strong communities and shared prosperity for all, and I look forward to continuing our work together."

 

An Cathaoirleach Cllr Nicholas Crossan said Mayor Walsh’s warm welcome was an indication of his huge support and commitment to the region.

 

Derry City and Strabane District Council Mayor Cllr Michaela Boyle thanked Mayor Walsh for his hospitality and support for the North West region and extended an invitation to him to the region when he is in Ireland later this month.

 

The trade and investment mission was led by Donegal County Council and Derry City and Strabane District Council and included representatives from third level and further education providers and development organisations including Ulster University, Letterkenny Institute of Technology, the North West Regional College, Donegal ETB and Catalyst, who also explored Workforce Development and Apprenticeship Programme partnership opportunities with their counterparts in the area.

 

During the visit the North West delegation and seven companies from the Donegal County Council and Derry City and Strabane District Council areas attended a number of meetings, networking and civic events.

 

As part of the trade mission the delegation promoted the educational opportunities in the North West with the diaspora community in Philadelphia, where educational organisations will have the opportunity to showcase the world-leading education provision across UU, NWRC, LYIT and Donegal ETB.

 

The group met with leading business executives and industry influencers, in both Boston and Philadelphia and the Cathaoirleach and Mayor used the occasion to strengthen the civic ties that exist between these two great American cities and the Northwest.

 

One of the key events during the Boston visit was the launch of the Atlas for a City Region at Harvard University. The project, a unique 18 month long project commissioned by Donegal County Council and Derry City and Strabane District Council under the auspices of the North West Regional Development Group, was established to investigate how the cross border Derry/Letterkenny North West City Region can be shaped in light of the economic, political and social realities of Brexit.

 

The group also attended a series of civic events including meetings with the Irish International Immigrant Centre, Boston’s District Hall and the Boston State House, and participated in the annual Golden Bridges Conference and Awards luncheon.

 

The seven Donegal and Derry/Strabane based companies travelling with the delegation followed their own bespoke itinerary where they met with key contacts to explore and understand opportunities in the US market, develop in-market networks and build relationships with potential customers, agents/distributors.

 

The companies were - O’Neill’s International Sportswear, Humanity Cosmetics, Learning Pool and Brand It Technologies from the Derry and Strabane District Council area, and from Donegal, EKO Chute, MMG Welding and the Wild Fuschia Bakery.

 

The trade mission was funded by the Irish Government and the Executive Office.

 

For more information on the trade mission visit www.irelandNW.com and follow the hashtag #IrelandNW19.

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