PROVIDENCE – A trade mission for Rhode Island companies to visit Scotland and northern England, organized by the John H. Chafee Center for International Business at Bryant University, R.I. Commerce Corp. and the U.S. Department of Commerce, has been scheduled for September, Commerce RI and the Chafee Center for International Business announced Monday.
The mission will leave Sept. 15 from T.F. Green Airport in Warwick and return a week later. The goal of the trade mission is to introduce Rhode Island and United Kingdom businesses to potential clients to promote international trade and business growth.
The trade mission will stop in Edinburgh, Scotland, and Glasgow, Scotland, as well as Leeds, England, and Manchester, England.
Three local firms have been confirmed so far for the trip, including Mearthane Products Corp., Feeney Law Group and AVTECH Software Inc.
“We have seen the direct sales benefit of trade missions before and we know the value of getting face-to-face with agents and customers in these markets, and the end result is more job creation in the state,” said Michael Sigourney, CEO and founder of AVTECH Software, in a statement.
Other businesses may apply to join the trade mission. State Trade and Export Promotion funding is available to qualified Rhode Island businesses to offset trade mission costs. More information on the trade mission may be acquired by contacting Katherine.Thierieau@Commerceri.com.
“The potential for trade between the whole Northern Powerhouse region [of England] and the state of Rhode Island is huge,” said Ray Fogarty of the Chafee Center for International Business in a statement. “The U.K. is one of the top export markets for New England businesses, and we’re looking forward to introducing the delegate firms to potential clients there in order to further strengthen links between the U.K. and U.S.A., and to grow trade and do business.”
Chris Bergenheim is the PBN web editor.
