USA Cross Border Trade Mission visits AMTCE in Dundalk

^{Above: Michael Savage, Newry CC, John McGahon, Dundalk CC, Petra Mitchell, Catalyst Connection; Damien McConville, InterTradeIreland; Jim Lamb, Ireland Institute of Pittsburgh; Gerard Smith, AMTCE, Lee Campbell, Southern Regional College, Paddy Malone, Dundalk CC and Tracy Rice, Southern Regional College}

The USA/Cross Border Trade Mission has officially arrived on the Island of Ireland bringing together companies from both sides of the border and the Pennsylvania region of the USA at the Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre of Excellence (AMTCE) in Dundalk. Over the coming days, businesses will explore genuine opportunities to trade, innovate, and grow across borders and across the Atlantic.

This unique collaboration is being facilitated by AMTCE and its partners, Dundalk Chamber of Commerce, Newry Chamber of Commerce, Invest NI and the Ireland Institute of Pittsburgh, with whom the project partners has fostered a long-standing and flourishing relationship.

The US Trade Mission is led Jim Lamb, President, The Ireland Institute of PittsburghAmanda Stewart, CEO, High Performance Building Alliance, Jenna Cramer, President & CEO, Green Building Alliance

The mission will see 12 US companies and a similar number of cross border companies come together for a programme of networking, knowledge-sharing, and business/trade matchmaking.

The event coincides with Game Week for the much-anticipated NFL Game at Croke Park, Dublin between Pittsburgh Steelers vs Minnesota Vikings.

It is being sponsored by the partnership of Invest NI, LMETB-Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre of Excellence (AMTCE), Dublin Belfast Economic Corridor(DBEC) and Newry and Dundalk Chambers of Commerce and included a tour of the facilities at AMTCE.

Martin O’Brien, Chief Executive of LMETB, said: “The Trade Mission is about more than business – it is about building lasting relationships. By bringing companies from the island of Ireland together with our long-standing partners in Pennsylvania, we are opening doors for collaboration in advanced manufacturing, technology, life sciences, and beyond.”

Gerard Smith, Director of AMTCE, added: “This Trade Mission reflects the vision of AMTCE – to act as a bridge between industry, education, and international partners. The opportunities being explored this week have the potential to deliver real economic benefits across the island of Ireland.” 

Elaine Curran, Director of Trade and Investment at Invest NI said: “US companies play a pivotal role in Northern Ireland’s economy, investing in key sectors such as financial services, technology and advanced manufacturing. Many of our leading investors decide to reinvest and grow their operations in Northern Ireland, demonstrating confidence in our highly skilled workforce, centres of innovation and technological excellence, our business-friendly environment, and our unique dual market access proposition.

"Northern Ireland is firmly open for business, whether it is US firms seeking to establish or expand operations here, or supporting local companies growing internationally. Invest NI remains committed to fostering new partnerships, driving investment, and ensuring our economy continues to thrive globally.”

Michael Savage, CEO of Newry Chamber, said:“Newry and Dundalk Chambers have always worked closely together to encourage cross border trade and promote this region as a cross-border hinterland with a bright economic future, capable of attracting inward investment and strengthening collaboration either side of the border and across the Atlantic.

“Newry has a strong affiliation with Pittsburgh and we are committed to growing that relationship further in the coming months and years by encouraging US companies in key growth sectors to partner our companies and maximise the unique opportunities Newry’s strategic location can provide through Dual Market Access to the UK and EU and lower trade tariffs.”

Paddy Malone  Dundalk Chamber, noted: "This area of the island has been identified within the National Development Plan as a key growth area. Our geographical position highlighted by   M1Corridor.ie, in the centre of the Dublin Belfast Economic Corridor offers both local business and our US friends unique access to Ireland, Britain and the US. The quality of the education and training available to our youth offers turn key opportunities.”

Delegates represent a diverse mix of early-stage scale-ups and established SMEs across sectors including technology, software, manufacturing, engineering, life sciences, healthcare, agri-food, and food tech. The mission’s packed agenda includes expert briefings, site visits, and cross-border networking opportunities – all designed to fast-track commercial growth and deepen cross border and  transatlantic  trade links