American business delegation to visit Leeds and Hull next month

Stefan Pryor, secretary of commerce for the State of Rhode Island, will head up a trade mission comprising seven US businesses and a team of commerce and tourism officials which is set to visit the UK in September.

The visit will take in Leeds and Hull, as well as Manchester and Edinburgh, and see Rhode Island firms meet with UK business leaders with the aim of growing exports between the state and the North of England and Scotland.

Mr Pryor said: “More and more, international companies are realising the benefits of doing business in Rhode Island – including our competitive tax structure, potent economic development tools, and high quality of life. Companies with UK roots, including Finlays and Virgin Pulse, have chosen to plant their flag in our state, and we look forward to exploring opportunities with other companies that are looking to expand in America.”

As part of the visit, the delegation will meet with seasoned and potential Yorkshire and Humber exporters involved in ExportExchange, the peer-to-peer mentoring initiative aimed at supporting overseas trade in the Leeds City Region, and leaders in fintech and medtech industries where Rhode Island has a strong and growing sector that mirrors that of the North of England.

The visit builds upon a trip from Boston and New England to Leeds in 2016 when business leaders met with leading firms and civic leaders in the region for the first time, and which highlighted the similarities between the two economies and strengthened the ambition to do business together.