SAVANNAH, GA, USA – On November 18, World Trade Center Savannah hosted the global education program, “Investing in Ireland.” The newly appointed Consul General of Ireland for the Southeastern United States, Hon. Shane Stephens, educated attendees about how his office, the Atlanta based Consulate of Ireland, helps to facilitate doing business with and in Ireland. Larry Byrne, an economic ambassador for the southeastern region of Ireland, joined Mr. Stephens for a focus on the county of Wexford, Ireland. Mr. Stephens and Mr. Bryne also enjoyed a two-day familiarization tour of the Savannah region with a focus on economic development, golf and tourism.

There are many reasons for the visit by Mr. Stephens and Mr. Bryne, one of which stemmed from a relationship built in March 2015 when the Government Chief Whip, Paul Kehoe, Minister of State in the Departments of An Taoiseach (Prime Minister) and Defense visited Savannah and WTC Savannah. Mr. Kehoe came to Savannah during the St. Patrick’s Day parade celebration, one of the most popular celebrations in the United States. During his visit, Mr. Kehoe recognized the unique relationship that exists between Savannah and Ireland and developed a strong interest in formalizing this relationship in order to strengthen ties between the two regions.

In the months that followed the visit, WTC Savannah conducted their second target country analysis since inception. The analysis, which focuses on identifying countries with existing connections to our region, proved that Ireland is a particularly strong country for our region. Ireland is the 13th largest import market for the district of Savannah and ranked 30th for exports. Kerry Ingredients and Food, a division of the Irish headquartered, Kerry Group, is located in Savannah. Apac-Southeast, Inc., a leading producer of asphalt, is also located in Savannah. We have very valuable resources in our neighboring city Atlanta, including the Irish Chamber of Commerce, the Consulate of Ireland and their Irish Development Agency whose focus is assisting businesses interested in trade and investment in Ireland.

These are just a few reasons that over the next two years, WTC Savannah will utilize its existing connections and focus its marketing and sales efforts to proactively target Irish investment for the region as well as promote regional businesses interested in establishing trade relations with Ireland. The existing resources through the region, the state, and the World Trade Centers Association show a clear path to creating more jobs and attracting investment for the region.

For additional information on this article, please contact Kathleen Henry, Manger of Trade Services and Research at WTC Savannah, at khenry@wtcsavannah.org.

PHOTO: Honorary Consul General Shane Stephens of the Atlanta Consulate of Ireland addresses attendees during the global education program.