Exploring transatlantic opportunities

16 December 2016

Aberdeen City Council welcomed two of the UK’s leading representatives in the US to a seminar designed to explore opportunities for expanding trade links with key American states.

Karen Bell, the British Consul General in Houston, and Leah Mayo, Head of Trade and Investment in Houston for the Department for International Trade, shared their knowledge and expertise at the Aberdeen event.

The seminar allowed 30 local businesses to discover the opportunities available in the Southern US market. Economic updates were provided for Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana and New Mexico with a particular focus on energy, advanced engineering and manufacturing, ICT and life science sectors.

Aberdeen City Council Leader Councillor Jenny Laing said: “Diversification and innovation runs through the core of our Regional Economic Strategy and building upon international links and exploring new avenues will be essential as we look to the future.

“We welcomed the expert input to the seminar yesterday, highlighting future prospects. With the City Region Deal in place and our ambitious £1billion capital programme underway, strengthening the economy of the city is a clear priority for Aberdeen City Council.

“We already have close business links with Houston which are well established, but the international business landscape is evolving and we need to be agile. Hearing how other cities and States are developing will provide us with a clear picture of opportunities."