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Mandate

Ireland Business Partnerships (IBP) identifies, fosters and promotes trade and partnership opportunities in business, education and culture between Ireland and Newfoundland and Labrador.

Background

The historical and cultural connections between Newfoundland and Labrador and Ireland date back to the mid -1700s when the Irish left their homeland and arrived on the shores of Newfoundland. With nearly 300 years of shared history, a strong connection between the regions remains evident today. With almost half of the population of Newfoundland and Labrador being descendants of Irish immigrants, this province has been referred to as the most Irish place outside of Ireland. The Irish influence has endured and is easily identifiable in our family traditions, culture, religion, politics, and education. 

The Governments of Newfoundland and Labrador and Ireland are leveraging this strong connection to create mutually-beneficial economic development opportunities. To formalize this relationship, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed by both governments in 1996, and was subsequently re-signed and reaffirmed in 2004. Based on the agreement, Newfoundland and Labrador’s Ireland Business Partnerships (IBP) was established in 1997 to identify, foster and promote trade and partnership opportunities in business, education and culture between this province and Ireland. The Government of Ireland’s Department of the Taoiseach formally inaugurated the Ireland Newfoundland Partnership (INP) in 2001 to serve as IBP’s counterpart. 

IBP is supported by an Advisory Board, comprised of individuals with a genuine interest in, and connection to, the Ireland-Newfoundland and Labrador relationship. The Board provides guidance to assist IBP identify and facilitate economic growth opportunities and build partnerships, while providing resources to help carry out IBP’s mandate.
 
To date, work has included collaborations among universities and research facilities on world-class projects in ocean technology and other knowledge-based industries, support for arts and culture exhibitions and festivals, as well as trade missions that link our businesses through formalized matchmaking.

IBP is committed to creating real opportunities for economic advancement and maintaining the strong connection between Newfoundland and Labrador and Ireland, both now and into the future.

Board Members

Honourable Shawn Skinner, Chair, Dr. John Fitzgerald, Mr. Bill Mahoney, Mr. Patrick O'Callaghan, Dr. Pat Parfrey, Mr. Keith Stoodley, Ms. Maureen Foley, Ms. Susan Knight, Ms. Gaylene Buckle, Ms. Cathy Duke, ex-officio, Ms.Diane Hoooper, Executive Director

Contact us

Ireland Business Partnerships
c/o Dept. of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development
2nd Floor, West Block, Confederation Bldg.
P.O. Box 8700
St. John's, NL
Canada A1B 4J6

Telephone: +1 (709) 729-1684
Fax: +1 (709) 729-7234

E-mail: ibp@gov.nl.ca

Last updated: May 19, 2010