MTC event encourages partnerships between Midlands and Ireland

Hosted at the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), the Department for International Trade’s Midlands Engine team welcomed a delegation from the South West of Ireland for the launch of the British Embassy lead programme Joining the Dots. The initial launch of the initiative was in Ireland in November 2018 with the Cork Chamber.

The 45 companies and organisations come from a variety of sectors, including agri-tech, ICT, cyber, precision engineering and manufacturing, and financial services. After a tour of the MTC, delegates saw the signing of a partnership agreement between MTC and the Irish Manufacturing Research, and then attended the report launch.

The report details areas for growth while making recommendations to promote stronger partnerships and collaboration between the two regions.

The delegation met with local businesses and stakeholders in the Midlands to learn more about scaling in the Midlands as well as investing and buying in the UK regions.

Putting the Midlands at the heart of the UK’s global-facing economy is a key part of the Government’s Midlands Engine strategy to boost prosperity and economic growth. Just last week, the Department for International Trade announced 6,867 new jobs have been created across the Midlands by 234 foreign direct investment projects in 2018/19.

Representatives from local government, academia, and enterprise and development agencies also attended. The event was an opportunity for Midlands businesses to meet South West Ireland businesses and decision makers involved in the Irish Government’s €116 billion development programme.

Karen Ball, head of DIT’s Midlands Engine Investment Hub, said: “The South West of Ireland and the Midlands share interests in fast growing sectors such as manufacturing and IT, and today’s visit, with the signing of an MoU between the Manufacturing Technology Centre and the Irish Manufacturing Research, is a true representation of these shared interests.

“I hope to see many more visits like today’s and with the UK launch of Joining the Dots initiative I am confident that our two regions will continue to work closely to find new partnerships and collaborations to boost economic growth and innovation.”

The Midlands Engine is a coalition of councils, combined authorities, local enterprise partnerships (LEP), Universities and businesses across the region, actively working with the Government to drive economic and productivity and position the Midlands firmly on the world stage.