Minister leads trade delegation to India
THE Enterprise Minister is to lead one of the biggest trade missions ever to travel from Northern Ireland to India at the end of the month.
A total of 25 companies from across the Province and representing a wide range of sectors including building design, clinical diagnostics and engineering will take part in the mission.
Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster revealed details of the mission during a visit to Polaris Software Labs Ltd, one of India's leading software companies and one of four existing Indian inward investors in Northern Ireland. The other Indian companies based in Northern Ireland include HCL, Firstsource, and Tech Mahindra.
Polaris, which specialises in financial technology, employs around 25 people at its software centre in Belfast.
Mrs Foster said since originally establishing it's Northern Ireland location at the Science Park in 2006, Polaris had steadily grown, developing a highly skilled workforce of financial technology staff.
``It also continues to make a valuable economic and cultural contribution to Northern Ireland," said the Minister.
Mrs Foster thanked the CEO of Polaris EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa), for the company's investment in Northern Ireland and said: "I welcome this opportunity to meet with Bikash Mathur, CEO of Polaris EMEA and his locally based management team. I have thanked them for their ongoing commitment to the local economy and given my assurance that both Invest NI, and my department, will provide whatever support is appropriate to ensure that their Northern Ireland operations can grow and prosper.
During the trade mission to India, Alastair Hamilton, Chief Executive, Invest NI will also visit the corporate headquarters of Polaris in Chennai. The company is due relocate its Northern Ireland operation from its current base at the Northern Ireland Science Park (NISP) in Belfast to the new Concourse Building at NISP in October.
The Minister said this was a welcome indication of the company's ambition for, and commitment to, further growth.
"During my visit to India, I intend to meet with existing, and potential, Indian investors. I will highlight the attractions of Northern Ireland as a region which meets the needs of inward investors, seeking talented resources and a cost effective location, particularly in the software and business process outsourcing sectors.
"India is a market which offers a breadth of opportunities for innovative and export focused businesses, with an emphasis on the highest standards of customer service. I encourage the 25 local participants on the mission, ranging from construction to professional services, to explore and exploit every export opportunity," added Mrs Foster.
The Trade Mission will take place from 19 – 26 September, visiting Mumbai, Chennai and Bangalore. In addition to Mr Hamilton, the Minister will be accompanied by Lord Diljit Rana, Honorary Consul for India in Northern Ireland.
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Saturday 04 February 2012
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