Ireland’s Interest in Port Stephens’ Industry Innovation Port Stephens Port Stephens News by News Of The Area - Modern Media - April 21, 2021 Ambassadors observing Solar Cell Tape during their tour. IRELAND’S Ambassador to Australia says a recent tour to Port Stephens’ world-leading industrial spaces provides unique opportunities for collaboration. Breandán Ó Caollaí joined last week’s EU Trade Mission to Williamtown and Tomago where they witnessed the groundbreaking technologies of BAE Systems, Ampcontrol and more. The trade mission is the fifth in three years and forms part of the State Government’s strategy to increase investment in regional NSW. Advertise with News of The Area today. It’s worth it for your business. Message us. Phone us – (02) 4981 8882. Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au On Friday, the delegates were given a hands-on approach at the Newcastle Institute of Energy and Resources. Ambassador Ó Caollaí says Australia’s advanced technology is part of why the region is so successful. “That’s why the Australian economy is doing so well particularly now given COVID 19 and all the challenges we’re facing,” he said He believes “that kind of top-end technology will be one of the paths out of this,” and that is what makes the region’s investment opportunities so attractive. When comparing Port Stephens and his experience in Dublin, he said, “When I was young we were a poor country so we had to create our advantages.” “Ireland needs to be attracting investment, that’s what really has transformed our economy,” Mr Ó Caollaí said. “We’re very similar, we’re hungry, we’re ambitious and we have certain commonalities,” he explained. “We have a beautiful country, it’s great for tourism, our agriculture is very important but it is diminishing in significance.” He said [Ireland needs] “to be in a 21st-century economy and that’s very much where Williamtown and Tomago are.” When reflecting on the tour and looking to the future, Ambassador Ó Caollaí was amazed at, “the variety and the intensity of what we visited both across the commercial sector and the academic sector. “We have no current free trade agreement with Australia, I think there is potential for close cooperation between Australia and each European member state,” he said. “So when Australia and the Hunter want to export its expertise in partnerships in the European Union, you’ll have a friend in Ireland,” he finished. BY Samuel BARTLETT Ireland’s Ambassador to Australia Breandán Ó Caollaí looks forward to collaboration with the region.
