Republican News · Thursday 5 September 2002

DOHERTY FLAGS IMPORTANCE OF US-IRELAND BUSINESS SUMMIT

West Tyrone Sinn Féin MP Pat Doherty will join other leading political figures from Ireland and the US at the historic US-Ireland Business Summit from 4-6 September.

The West Tyrone Sinn Féin MP, who is Chair of the Assembly's Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment Committee, says the importance of the summit cannot be underestimated.

"The scale and scope of this summit is unprecedented and will undoubtedly produce policy initiatives to usher in a new 21st century of economic collaboration, cooperation and business growth on both sides of the Atlantic," he said.

"The historic event is a gathering of key business, academic and government figures and is supported and sponsored by the private sector, the US government, the Executive and the Oireachtas.

"Intense discussions are planned on key issues facing business in the US and Ireland in the financial services sectors in the US and Irish/(European) markets. Sessions will be led by business leaders from global industries in each sector and will focus on corporate governance; competitiveness; new public and private priorities; privacy and security issues; market development and entry; intellectual property and regulatory issues; "best practice," commercialisation of R&D, critical broadband issues, and opportunities for joint ventures and strategic alliances.

"The format of the summit will also allow for unparalleled scope in terms of networking at social events with leading US political and business figures.

"This summit is highly significant, not only for its high powered status, but also given the fact that Ireland is being seen as and treated as one economic unit. Therefore, the policy initiatives that emanate from the summit will inevitably be orientated towards the development of an integrated all-Ireland economy. Moves in this direction can only be of benefit to all of the people on this island."