News

The North West Science and Technology Partnership was launched today, March 29th in Letterkenny by An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern. The Partnership is designed to increase cross border collaboration and to initiate and promote infrastructural projects in the North West region on the Island.

Launching the initiative today, the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern encouraged the collaborative work initiated in the North West region,
“It is clear that businesses on both parts of this island face common challenges and opportunities in the context of an increasingly knowledge-intensive and interconnected global economy. That is why the work of InterTradeIreland, one of the six cross-border bodies established under the Belfast Agreement, is based on the vision of a globally competitive all-island economy.

We recognise that this North West Region deserves special attention and that it needs an integrated, cross-border approach to achieve its full potential. That is why the joint financial package we agreed with Chancellor Gordon Brown includes a commitment to develop a dual carriageway standard road to Derry and Donegal. This road will prove essential in driving the future development of the North West region. In May last year the British and Irish Governments announced the North West Gateway Initiative. The Initiative proposed increased cooperation to focus on a variety of areas such as spatial planning, education and skills, health and improvements in infrastructure.

It is based on our shared view that the problems of the North West can best be tackled by working together in a co-ordinated fashion across a comprehensive range of policy areas,” said An Taoiseach, Mr Ahern.

InterTradeIreland is delivering a wide range of programmes underpinned by a significant research and policy agenda. It has helped companies both North and South in a variety of ways by funding cutting edge research and development to improve global competitiveness, by accelerating the transfer of technology into practical business applications and by supporting the development of business networks to achieve competitive advantage faster and cheaper.

“The North West Science and Technology Partnership will provide a vital opportunity for economic growth for the region that will benefit the whole island, “said Liam Nellis, CEO of InterTradeIreland, “Supported by InterTradeIreland, the North West Science and Technology Partnership provides an opportunity for collaboration across the business, academic and clinical areas to produce new opportunities to increase and develop new skills for the region.
This collaborative approach enables the combination of resources, knowledge transfer, economies of scale, skills development and entry to markets that are otherwise beyond the reach of each of the individual companies,” Nellis concluded.

The North West Science & Technology Partnership has a vision to promote and develop collaborative opportunities in science and technology sectors in the North West area. It aims to create an environment in which knowledge transfer is maximized for the benefit of all in the North West cross-border region on the Island.

Dr Deirdre McDonnell-Lee, Director of the Partnership cited the NWSTP as a “wonderful example of how industry and academia can work together on a voluntary basis to support and strengthen the innovative government initiatives that Ireland North, South and Cross Border offers.”

Brian McGarvey, chair of the NWSTP heralded the start of a new era for this industry,
” NWSTP will work to help grow enterprises with sustainable competitive advantage that can compete effectively on a global economy, increase R&D spend, attract and retain highly skilled individuals and develop the NW as a fertile place for Science and Technology growth.”