March 18, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

President Stroger Welcomes Trade Delegation from County Cork, Ireland

Delegation of government, IT, biotechnology, crafts and tourism professionals seek to foster business develoment between Cook County and Irish County

CHICAGO, March 18, 2008 --Cook County Board President Todd Stroger welcomed a delegation of government, IT, biotechnology, crafts and tourism professionals from County Cork, Ireland on March 14, and publicly honored them at the County Board meeting on March 18. The delegation spent six days in the region as part of a trade mission focusing on development.

Since 1999, the Cork County Council and Cook County Government have had in place a Sister County Agreement designed to foster bilateral trade between the regions. The agreement guarantees that the two counties will work together to cultivate relationships and exchanges between their citizens and business. Much of this takes place by organizing meetings, seminars and trade missions to promote the import and export of each partner county’s goods and services. Each county has created a volunteer committee to ensure that the collaboration is a success.

Cook County Board President Todd H. Stroger, along with the Partners with Ireland Committee and the Cook County Economic Development Department / Chicago-Cook Business Center, hosted this year’s trade mission. Committee members and staff arranged meetings and presentations with Cook County businesses and organizations in four sectors: information technology, biotechnology, tourism and crafts/family business.

The Cook County – County Cork Sister County Agreement is based on working together to help the constituents of each area. If you are interested in discussing economic growth and fostering a relationship with a business in County Cork, Ireland that would be specific to your sector, please contact Cook County’s Economic Development Department / CCBC at 312-603-1070 or visit www.chicago-cook.org. Assistance for business development within Cook County can also be found on the website.

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Links

Chicago - Cook Business Center

Photo Downloads

Pictured (left-right): Mrs. Batt O’Keeffe; Martin Riordan, Manager, Cork County Council; John Wrenn, Cook County Partners with Ireland Committee member; Batt O’Keeffe, Minister of Environment, Heritage and Local Government for County Cork; Bill Gainer, Cook County Partners with Ireland Committee Chair; Cook County Board President Todd Stroger; Tom Gallagher, Minister’s Private Secretary, County of Cork; Thomas Sheahan, Mayor of County Cork; Cork County Council Councilor Michael Hegarty, who is also a leader in the Fine Gael Party; Cork County Council Councilor Alan Coleman, who is also a leader in the Fianna Fail Party; Noel O'Driscoll, Senior Executive Officer of the Cork County Council; Consul General of Ireland Martin Rouine; Mrs. Rouine; Stephanie Milito, Cook County's Economic Development Department. Photo by Chris Geovanis.

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