Co Wexford has a new trade partnership with Savannah

THE relationship between county Wexford and Savannah, Georgia, that began at least 170 years ago is getting an update.

Wexford officials are partnering with World Trade Centre Savannah and the Savannah Development Authority to start a pilot business development program, TradeBridge, designed to drive international trade and investment between the Savannah region and Ireland.

Minister for State Michael D’Arcy travelled to Savannah to announce the new trade partnership with Wexford. Minister D’Arcy praised the work of Wexford and Savannah officials in creating TradeBridge and made it clear his Government is ready for trade.

World Trade Centre Savannah Vice President Brynn Grant said TradeBridge is the culmination of years of research and collaboration.

‘We are truly building a bridge for international trade and investment,’ said Mr Grant.

Mr Grant said as part of TradeBridge, both Wexford and World Trade Centre Savannah will be hiring a person for eight months who will devote their energies entirely to the program.

The new employee will identify and facilitate trade opportunities for businesses from Wexford into the Savannah region, and possibly throughout the United States, as well as from the Savannah region into Wexford.

Director of the Centre for Irish Research and Training Howard Keeley said Wexford is an excellent door into Ireland and possibly into the European Union by entension. ‘Wexford is about an hour south of Dublin, but without the costs of a large city,’ added Mr Keeley.

An acorn made by John Poirie of Drayton Glass Works was presented to Minister D’Arcy as a gift, representing the relationship between Savannah and Ireland.