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Taoiseach travels to Chicago for two-day business Programme

The Taoiseach will travel to the United States today for a two-day trade and investment mission to Chicago. The primary focus of the visit is to promote Ireland as a location for investment, trade and tourism and to support the growth of Irish companies in Illinois.

The Taoiseach’s programme begins with an address to the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, which brings together influential political and business leaders to discuss key global issues. The Taoiseach will use this opportunity to communicate Ireland’s priorities in the context of Brexit and emphasise Ireland's strong commitment to EU membership and to free trade. 

Also on Monday, the Taoiseach will meet with Chicago Mayor, Rahm Emanuel at Chicago City Council and with Irish community leaders and members of the diaspora.

Over his two-day programme the Taoiseach will meet with a number of potential and current investors in Ireland and Irish companies operating in Illinois. Throughout these engagements he will promote Ireland strengths as location for investment and a source of quality goods and services including at an event with Business Leaders attended by contacts of Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and Bord Bia. 

On Tuesday, the Taoiseach will meet with representatives of the Chicago Irish Immigrant Support Centre and address a Tourism Ireland event before departing Chicago on Tuesday evening for Belgium where he will attend Messines Commemorations on Wednesday

Commenting on his programme, the Taoiseach said:

My visit to Chicago is an opportunity to support the growth of Irish companies in Illinois and further deepen our commercial links with the US. Throughout my engagements I will communicate Ireland’s priorities in the context of Brexit and highlight the attributes which continue to make Ireland an attractive location for trade and investment, particularly for US companies seeking a gateway into the European single market.