New Jersey establishes trade commission with Ireland

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Gov. Phil Murphy signed legislation (Assembly Bill 4055) into law June 7 to establish the New Jersey-Ireland Trade Commission.

The group, an independent body “in, but not of,” the Department of State, is aimed at advancing the mutual interests of New Jersey and Ireland, including bilateral trade and investment opportunities, joint policy action, business and academic exchanges, economic support, and mutual investment in the infrastructure of the two regions.

It will be made up of 23 members:

• 11 public members appointed by the governor;
• four members of the Legislature appointed by the senate president;
• two members of the Legislature appointed by the senate minority leader;
• four members of the Legislature appointed by the assembly speaker;
• two members of the Legislature appointed by the assembly minority leader.

“As a Murphy, it is an honor to bring New Jersey and my native Ireland together for a strategic partnership that will benefit our two regions for generations to come,” said Murphy. “Tammy and I have had the pleasure of leading an economic mission to Ireland to meet with leaders across the country in different sectors and industries, and to truly understand what the country has to offer. I am pleased to put pen to paper to mark the start of an official partnership between our two regions and look forward to witnessing what we can accomplish together.”

“We are thrilled to establish this commission to advance bilateral trade and investment between New Jersey and Ireland, promote exchanges, and foster mutual economic support,” said New Jersey Secretary of State Tahesha Way. “This initiative will strengthen our ties and create new opportunities for both regions.”

New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan said that between the trade mission Murphy alluded to and now the creation of this commission, it will allow the opportunity to push forward New Jersey and Ireland’s shared economic goals of strengthening high-growth sectors, such as innovation and offshore wind.

“New Jersey and Ireland are both committed to creating an inclusive and thriving economy – one that supports entrepreneurs and hardworking families,” said Sullivan. “The New Jersey-Ireland Trade Commission will leverage both entities resources, including our highly skilled talent pools, to boost our economies and uplift our residents.”

Wesley Mathews, president and CEO of Choose New Jersey, the state’s nonprofit economic development arm, welcomed the creation of the commission to facilitate increased trade and investment between Ireland and the Garden State.

“The Choose New Jersey Ireland Center will benefit greatly by having a state partner to collaborate with in growing trade ties between two innovation-based economies,” said Mathews.

“Whether it’s the technology, life sciences, clean energy, or any of the other thriving business sectors that spur our state’s economy, this commission will play a key role in letting Irish companies and entrepreneurs know that they have a welcoming home in New Jersey,” said Steve Lenox, director of the New Jersey Ireland Center.

Ireland’s Minister of State for the Diaspora Sean Fleming said he was pleased about the establishment of this commission, which according to him indicates a strong desire to deepen two-way trade, investment and education links between Ireland and New Jersey.

“New Jersey has more than 9 million inhabitants – of which approx. 1.1 million claim Irish heritage – and it ranks in the top 10 biggest economies of the United States,” said Fleming. “The state is an important source of investment into Ireland, and a growing number of Irish-origin companies also have operations there.”

Appointees must be selected for the commission within 90 days. The group will be tasked with reporting recommendations to Murphy and the Legislature within one year of its initial organizational meeting, and by Feb. 1 of each succeeding year.