Ireland-Calgary Trade Group Expands Province Wide
City-based association goes provincial; adds services
December 2, 2021
The Ireland Alberta Trade Association (IATA) announced its new name and brand today to reflect a broadened mandate to provide services and connections in support of bilateral trade between Ireland and Alberta.
Formerly the Ireland Canada Centre for Commerce, Calgary, the IATA has grown over 11 years from a Calgary-focused connector between Calgary and Ireland, to an association highlighting and promoting shared business strengths and opportunities between Alberta and Ireland.
“With our broader reach, the IATA will empower bilateral trade opportunities by promoting the sectoral expertise and strengths between Ireland and Alberta, fostering strategic partnerships with stakeholders and building government agency relationships,” said IATA Founder and President, Laureen Regan. “We will drive and grow bilateral trade and investment between our two regions to build a vibrant economic corridor between Ireland and Alberta.”
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney applauded the move.
“With its history and experience, I believe the IATA is well positioned to help support and drive trade between Ireland and Alberta,” said Premier Kenney. “I also think that it’s important to have business leaders, entrepreneurs, organizations and innovators – in Ireland, Alberta and in all sectors – consider the importance of growth globally and partnering with jurisdictions that can enable success. Alberta and Ireland are the perfect match.”
Ireland’s Ambassador to Canada, Dr. Eamonn McKee welcomed the IATA.
“I look forward to supporting the Association’s efforts to drive economic relations between Ireland and Alberta, by networking businesses with each other and facilitating connections to Irish organisations,” said Ambassador McKee.
Similarities between Ireland and Alberta include a focus on market diversification, low tax rates, a highly educated and mobile workforce, access to larger economic markets, similar population size and a high quality of life.
Deirdre Moran, Canada Country Manager, IDA Ireland was delighted to learn of the expansion.
“We are delighted to see the expanded remit of the Ireland Alberta Trade Association and look forward to working with the team as it grows links and fosters relationships between Alberta and Ireland into the future.”
For more information or media interviews, please contact:
Laureen Regan, President
403-447-0045
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Ireland Alberta Trade Association – Backgrounder
Building The Economic Corridor – Ireland and Alberta
The Ireland Alberta Trade Association is an influencer and partner to our stakeholders and the business community. Through our connections, relationships and successes to date we:
Empower bilateral trade opportunities
Enhance the reputation of the two regions
Advocate for the Ireland Alberta trade corridor
Strengthen entrepreneurial and innovation capacity
Encourage bilateral trade investment
Deliver sectoral information to highlight synergies
Foster strategic partnerships with stakeholders
Feature expertise of companies and people succeeding in Alberta and Ireland
Foster and grow relationships for long term success in the Ireland Alberta trade corridor
It’s time for a focus on growth outside our borders. To take what we have collectively learned, the expertise we have developed, the relationships we have fostered and the successes in each of our regions and come together to grow, expand and reach further than we have before.
Full Quotes
Dr. Eamonn McKee, Ambassador of Ireland to Canada
“We share common goals and common challenges: diversifying economic activities, adapting to climate change, and discovering new ways of working open to us by the digital revolution. From a thriving start-up tech scene in Calgary, through an increase in bilateral trade of organic chemicals, to the provincial government’s ambition to double tourism revenue by 2030, Ireland has much to benefit by looking West to Alberta.
“Alberta has many reasons to look to Ireland. Ireland is an entry point to one of the largest and most integrated markets in the world, the European Union and the EEA.
“Ireland’s robust Foreign Director Investment sector testifies to our economic integration into the global economy. CETA has opened up new possibilities that we are only beginning to explore. For Alberta, Ireland is a gateway to Europe and a platform for global trade.
“With over half a million Albertans of Irish heritage, the historical and diasporic ties with Ireland are deep. Generations of Irish workers have benefitted from Alberta’s oil industry. Now as we face change and adaptation, Ireland and Alberta together have much to explore, from fintech and green finance to innovation, tourism and agriculture. I have no doubt the timely establishment of the Ireland Alberta Trade Association will turn many of these possibilities into reality.”
Premier of Alberta, Jason Kenney
”With their history and experience, I believe the IATA is well positioned to help support and drive trade between Ireland and Alberta. I also think that it’s important to have business leaders, entrepreneurs, organizations and innovators – in Ireland, Alberta and in all sectors – consider the importance of growth globally and partnering with jurisdictions that can enable success. Alberta and Ireland are the perfect match! “
Deirdre Moran, Canada Country Manager, IDA Ireland
“IDA is very grateful for the support of the Ireland Alberta Trade Association and similar business networks around the world. These organisations are very supportive of the work that we do and help amplify the “Why Ireland” message globally. We are delighted to see the expanded remit of the Ireland Alberta Trade Association and look forward to working with the team as it grows links and fosters relationships between Alberta and Ireland into the future.”
Twitter: @IrelandAlberta
LinkedIn: Ireland Alberta Trade Association