The largest international trade mission ever to leave Wales has returned home after a successful week in the United States. Over 80 Welsh companies from the technology, aerospace, defence, life sciences, security and engineering industries went on the mission to foster international corporate partnerships and promote international trade.
The mission was timed to be in Washington as the Smithsonian Festival was commencing, in order to maximise the focus on Wales which the festival is offering. The delegation attended a series of specialist programmes and networking events to identify future partners, joint venture opportunities and strategic alliances. Programmes include meeting high-profile executives and engineers at Boeing, NASA and Lockheed Martin as well as corporate members of the Baltimore World Trade Center.
“The United States is Wales’ largest export market. That’s why IBW worked tirelessly to develop a high quality programme that would position Welsh executives in front of key decision makers” said Ieuan Wyn Jones, Minister for the Economy and Transport. “The strong response that we have received illustrates that our innovative leaders are looking toward the future and proactively planning for the upturn in the global economy.”
Mission Leader, IBW’s Bill Fraser, said “the mission placed Welsh companies in direct contact with key sector experts, it’s opened doors in the US and has enabled companies to identify many opportunities amongst their fellow missioners, a very successful visit. We will monitoring results closely”.
And the delegates’ response? Allan Grainger, Managing Director of CAVE Systems contacted IBW saying “Let me thank you for organising the best trade mission I have participated in. If I cannot make anything happen after all your help and the contacts you helped me make, I may as well give up and buy a hot dog van!!”