Tina McKenzie, Policy Chair of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), has hosted FSB’s annual Power of Small Business Roundtable in Washington to explore the strategic role of small and medium-sized enterprises in strengthening transatlantic economic relations.
Tina welcomed the Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland; Emma Little-Pengelly MLA, deputy First Minister; James Applegate, US Consul General in Belfast and other senior political, diplomatic and business leaders from the United States, Northern Ireland, the rest of the United Kingdom and Ireland, to the event.
Tina McKenzie said:
“I was delighted to welcome the Secretary of State, the deputy First Minister, and so many other transatlantic friends to our annual FSB Roundtable. Small businesses can lead from the front in growing trade between the UK, US and EU, and Northern Ireland can play a unique role by giving a base from which to trade with all of the others.
“Despite the uncertainty we all face, whether that is through tariffs or war, it is dialogue and understanding that will play a huge part in solving problems. I believe that as the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, our shared history, which has been founded on some of the most enduring relationships on the planet, can help us navigate these turbulent times together.
“Where there is challenge, there is opportunity – and Northern Ireland has long-proven its ability to overcome challenges and transform them into opportunities, to the benefit of many around the world.
“Just consider James Martin inventing the ejection seat which has saved thousands of lives; Harry Ferguson transforming agriculture through the invention of the Three Point Linkage for tractor implements, or Frank Pantridge developing the mobile defibrillator. That spirit – of seeing a problem, innovating a solution, and commercialising the innovation – is a hallmark of people from Northern Ireland, which stands the world in good stead.
“In the current context, small businesses are a strategic asset in the US–NI-UK economic relationship, and Northern Ireland is the ‘union in the Venn diagram’ between these two historic partners. Northern Ireland offers a rare combination of high regulatory standards, dual access to UK and EU markets, a skilled, innovation-led SME base and extraordinary, historic links with the United States. For US policymakers and investors, Northern Ireland offers a low-risk, high-trust environment for partnership.
“That’s why I was delighted to welcome our guests around the table. That’s a message we should consistently bring to the United States. I want to see more small businesses from across the United Kingdom grow their businesses by exporting more and we, at FSB, want to give them the confidence to trade in both directions across the Atlantic.”
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Hilary Benn MP, said:
“I was delighted to take part in the annual Federation of Small Businesses Northern Ireland Roundtable event with business leaders and stakeholders in Washington. Northern Ireland is a fantastic place to invest, work and live, and it was great to discuss ways to boost trade and economic growth between our two nations.”