The City of Lisburn is playing a leading role in developing new business links with Atlanta, Georgia. Representatives of Lisburn City Council recently led a joint trade mission to Atlanta, Georgia, alongside representatives of Castlereagh Borough Council.
The five-day trade mission provided six companies with an invaluable opportunity to participate in individual business meetings with hand picked US companies. These companies benefited from new market knowledge and exporting skills, product sourcing, best practice observation and the establishment of new international partnerships.
Each business also availed of networking opportunities with members of the three main business Chambers of Commerce in Atlanta: the Metro Atlanta Chamber, the Irish Chamber and the British American Chamber. These meetings resulted in many new business contacts being made.
Councillor Jenny Palmer, Chairman of the Council’s Economic Development Committee, speaking about the trade mission, said: “I am proud that Lisburn City Council has been able to provide this unique opportunity to local businesses. It was a privilege to meet so many civic and business representatives in Atlanta; and the delegation was impressed by the warm reception and welcome that it received.”
A dedicated civic itinerary further strengthened the linkages between the Cities of Lisburn and Atlanta, which already exist because of inward investors to the Lisburn area such as Coca Cola and General Electric both of which have are based in Atlanta. The Civic delegation met with both the British and Irish Consulates to promote Lisburn businesses and inward investment.
The delegation also met with representatives of two local council areas, College Park and Sandy Springs, to share experience and best practice in the delivery of economic development in the current challenging economic times.
Councillor Palmer added: “Despite the current economic climate on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, Atlanta is recognised as one of the fastest growing regions in the United States. It is for this reason that I am very keen to see trade links with this region further develop for the benefit of Lisburn companies. The scale of the economy and businesses located in Atlanta offers many market opportunities to be further exploited by local businesses.”
For more information on how Lisburn City Council is supporting and developing local businesses, contact Hazel King, Economic Development Manager, on 028 9250 9484 or email hazel.king@lisburn.gov.uk
