The British Ambassador to Ireland, Paul Johnston, arrived in Galway on Monday as part of a two-day visit to the city to meet business people, researchers and city leaders.
The visit follows the 2020 virtual launch of the report ‘Joining the Dots’ in Galway, with partners Galway Chamber and NUI Galway.
The report found that Galway/Mayo has world-class med tech and ICT clusters, as well as being a significant hub for the creative industries that can be linked with regions in the UK.
First launched in 2018, ‘Joining the Dots’ is a British Embassy led initiative focused on promoting economic links and opportunities between regions of Ireland and the UK.
Speaking about the visit, the British Ambassador to Ireland, Paul Johnston said that he is delighted to be in Galway.
“It’s a great opportunity to finally meet people in person and promote our many common interests in culture, science & innovation and balanced regional development,” said Mr Johnston.
“The Embassy has forged a close relationship with Galway over recent years not least through the visit to Galway of their Royal Highnesses, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in March 2020.”
Johnston said that this was then followed by working with our partners in Galway Chamber and NUI Galway to bring the British Embassy’s ‘Joining the Dots’ initiative to Galway in late 2020.
“This collaborative project highlighted the huge potential for UK collaboration with Galway/Mayo in their world-class med tech and ICT clusters, as well as the creative industries,” he said.
“This visit is the next step in our ‘Joining the Dots’ activities, to strengthen region-to-region links and promote new UK partnerships with the amazing county of Galway.
Mr Johnston continued by emphasising the importance of spreading out opportunity and prosperity across the regions.
“London and Dublin are thriving cities, but the UK and Irish Governments also share an ambition to seize the great opportunities beyond our capitals as set out in the Levelling Up white paper in the UK and in Ireland’s National Development Plan.”
Kenny Deery, Galway Chamber Chief Executive, added that Galway is a great place to do business, part of that is positively influenced by our rich culture and diversity.
“This collaborative event with the British Embassy is an opportunity for us to showcase the impact our cultural capital has on industry, attracting investments, attracting talent and influencing research and development outputs,” he said.
“There is a significant opportunity for collaboration and for Leeds/Bradford and Galway/Mayo to learn from each other, to create enriching partnerships and seize on opportunities through these events.”
