NI boosts business links with South East Asia

The director of one of Northern Ireland's leading export companies is to lead one of the biggest-ever Invest Northern Ireland trade missions to South East Asia later this month.

Mervyn McCall, a director of Mivan, will lead 39 directors and senior managers from 34 companies are taking part in the mission which will visit Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand from 19-28 April.

Commenting on the mission, Mr McCall said: “Singapore is also one of the most dynamic and open markets in the ASEAN region and an ideal springboard for companies wishing to explore business through Asia Pacific, including developing markets such as the Philippines and Vietnam.

“The size of the delegation underscores the strength of interest among Northern Ireland companies in the substantial business opportunities the area has to offer.

“The objectives of those companies participating range from trade deals and the appointment of representatives to the identification of potential partners to help them develop business throughout this strategically important and vibrant region.”

Among the 34 participating companies is Carryduff-based Lowe Refrigeration which specialises in the supply and sale of refrigerated display equipment for food shows worldwide.

Since opening an office in Singapore with help from Invest NI in 2002, the company has seen its business in the region double. As a result of this growth, South East Asia now provides around 10% of the Northern Ireland company’s business.

Director Michael Lowe said: “Setting up in Singapore has proved to be tremendously beneficial for the company. Equipment sales have tripled in the past two years and are set to increase even further.

“In doing so, we’ve benefited enormously from Invest NI’s In-Market Support service there, which helped us with business procedures and in developing contacts throughout the region. Singapore is also a very cost effective business location with English the main language and a legal system that’s based on British procedures.”

Invest NI organises a programme of regular trade promotion activities in the Asia Pacific region. Trade missions have recently visited Hong Kong, China, South Korea and Japan and events are planned later this year for this important trading region.

Delegation members will be in Singapore from 19-21; Kuala Lumpur from 21-24 April; and Bangkok from 24-28 April.

(MB)