Asia-Pacific mission builds Life Sciences links

Craigavon is building up an international profile for its health and pharmaceutical industries.

A high profile Asia-Pacific business delegation recently visited Northern Ireland – with their first stop in Craigavon to hear about the groundbreaking work being carried out within the Life Sciences sector.

Craigavon Borough Council, in partnership with Invest Northern Ireland and the Southern Health and Social Care Trust held a Life Sciences business reception to encourage these Asia-Pacific countries to consider Craigavon as a base for their European activities and to look at businesses in Craigavon as potential suppliers.

The impressive delegation guest list included senior trade and investment officers from Australia, China, India, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, Taiwan, Pakistan, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam.

With presentations given by the Council, Invest NI and three world-renowned cardiovascular surgeons based in Craigavon Area Hospital, the delegation heard how they could make innovative collaborations within the Craigavon area.

“We were absolutely delighted to welcome this prestigious delegation to Craigavon and for them to hear about the cutting-edge work going on in this area – work that is putting our Borough on the regional and global map as a hub for the Life Sciences sector,” commented Dr Theresa Donaldson, Chief Executive of Craigavon Borough Council. “We know the delegates were extremely interested in what we have to offer and look forward to a collaborative future.”

Dr Vicky Kell, Invest NI Trade Director, commenting on the visit, said: “The Asia-Pacific delegation had an opportunity to explore Northern Ireland’s extensive expertise in life sciences. During the visit, part of Invest NI’s strategic focus on promoting the growth of this immensely important industry through investment and exports, the delegation had an opportunity to meet companies and stakeholders in life sciences from across Northern Ireland in an extensive programme of meetings in Antrim as well as Craigavon.”

Councillor Carla Lockhart, Chair of the Development Committee, thanked Invest NI for bringing the delegation to Craigavon: “Thanks to Invest NI for giving us this fantastic opportunity to showcase the amazing academic business and clinical expertise that we have here. We were able to highlight the important business and clinical collaboration that is currently underway and provided a platform for future mutual engagement and opportunities. Important links have been forged.”

As well as a notable indigenous Life Sciences presence in the region, the pioneering work of Craigavon Area Hospital and the global headquarters of Almac all in the area, Craigavon Borough Council has also received £450,000 of EU INTRREG IVA funding to establish a Life Sciences Supply Chain cluster which will help 50 SMEs from across the East Border Region (Craigavon, Banbridge, Newry and Mourne, Down, Louth and Meath) supply into existing large Life Sciences companies such as Almac, Randox, Heartsine, Intelesens and Clonallon Laboratories.

The Council has also established linkages in Boston, Massachusetts.

Craigavon Borough Council
www.craigavon.gov.uk

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