Foster To Lead Trade Delegation To India

Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster is to lead Northern Ireland's trade and investment mission to India at the end of September.

The Minister's participation was announced during a visit to Polaris Software, one of India's leading software companies and one of four existing Indian inward investors in Northern Ireland.

Ms Foster said: "Since originally establishing it's Northern Ireland location at the Science Park in 2006, Polaris, a financial technology corporation, has steadily grown, developing a highly skilled workforce of financial technology staff. It also continues to make a valuable economic and cultural contribution to Northern Ireland."

The Minister thanked the CEO of Polaris EMEA for the company's investment in Northern Ireland and said: "I welcome this opportunity to meet with Bikash Mathur, CEO of Polaris EMEA and his locally-based management team. I have thanked them for their ongoing commitment to the local economy and given my assurance that both Invest NI and my department will provide whatever support is appropriate to ensure that their Northern Ireland operations can grow and prosper.

"During the Trade Mission to India, Alastair Hamilton, Chief Executive, Invest NI will also visit the corporate headquarters of Polaris in Chennai to reinforce this message. The planned relocation of Polaris to the new Concourse building in October is a welcome indication of the company's ambition for, and commitment to, further growth."

The Minister continued: "During my visit to India, I intend to meet with existing and potential Indian investors. I will highlight the attractions of Northern Ireland as a region which meets the needs of inward investors, seeking talented resources and a cost effective location, particularly in the software and business process outsourcing sectors.

"India is a market which offer a breadth of opportunities for innovative and export focused businesses, with an emphasis on the highest standards of customer service. I encourage the 25 local participants on the mission, ranging from construction to professional services, to explore and exploit every export opportunity."

The Trade Mission will take place from September 19 - 28, visiting Mumbai, Chennai and Bangalore.

The Minister will be accompanied by Alastair Hamilton, Chief Executive, Invest Northern Ireland, and by Lord Diljit Rana, Honorary Consul for India in Northern Ireland. Arlene Foster will visit Delhi for trade and investment meetings and then travel to Mumbai to join the trade delegates, concluding her six-day visit in Bangalore.

(KMcA/GK)