Over 50 exporters from across Northern Ireland joined the Minister for Employment and Learning, Dr Stephen Farry, and Owen Brennan, Executive Chairman at Devenish, at the Institute for Global Food Security labs at Queens on Friday 27th March.
The briefing, organised by Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NI Chamber) and Danske Bank, provided exporters with an opportunity to discuss a number of business concerns directly with the Minister.
Speaking at the event, Kevin Kingston, President of NI Chamber, said:
“This event enables our members to hear the inspirational export journey of the Devenish Group and how the company has grown to become such a successful local exporting company.”
“It also provides businesses with a direct opportunity to engage with the Minister for Employment and Learning on a number of skills related issues impacting their business.”
“In order to complement the Minister’s ongoing work in key sectors such as engineering, manufacturing and ICT, our members believe that business degrees and further education qualifications must include compulsory modules on international trade and exports, to ensure that business people are ‘export-ready’ when entering the workplace.”
Owen Brennan speaking at the conference said:
“The game changer for us and with anybody is the actual decision itself, making the fundamental decision to address an export market.”
“We spend over £20 million per year on our innovation we regard it as an investment and as a cost and it’s the foundation for the growth of our business both locally and in international markets.”
The Danske Bank Export First programme is also supported by its airline partner, Etihad Airways.
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