Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders traveled to Dublin, Ireland, as part of an international trade mission focused on recruiting companies, expanding investment and strengthening Arkansas’ presence in global markets.
The Ireland visit followed Sanders’ appearance at the Farnborough International Airshow in the United Kingdom. The governor’s international mission also included planned activity in Belgium.
During her time in Ireland, Sanders met with business executives and government officials, including Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin and United States Ambassador to Ireland Edward Walsh.
Taoiseach is the title used for Ireland’s head of government.
Sanders toured the Kerry Global Innovation Center in Naas, Ireland, where she met with Kerry Group leaders and received demonstrations involving the company’s beverage-industry products.
Members of the Arkansas delegation participating in meetings included Arkansas Secretary of Commerce Hugh McDonald, Arkansas Economic Development Commission Executive Director Clint O’Neal, Chief of Staff Gretchen Conger and Deputy Chief of Staff Judd Deere.
The governor also met with Ireland Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Helen McEntee, Ireland Minister of Enterprise Peter Burke and Chair of the Senate of Ireland Mark Daly.
Sanders and First Gentleman Bryan Sanders attended meetings and events at The Deerfield Residence in Dublin with Ambassador Walsh, his wife, Lynn, and business and government leaders.
The Arkansas delegation also participated in an American Chamber of Commerce Ireland roundtable discussion with representatives from several international companies.
The discussion focused on strengthening economic connections and promoting Arkansas as a destination for international business investment.
Companies represented during the roundtable included Kerry Group, Glanbia, Jacobs Engineering, Smurfit Westrock, University College Dublin, James Hardie Industries, Trane Technologies, ServiceNow, Johnson Controls, Collins Aerospace, Stripe and others.
McDonald delivered a presentation highlighting Arkansas’ business climate and opportunities available to companies considering investment in the state.
Sanders also visited the Kingspan IKON Innovation Centre and met with Kingspan Group Chief Executive Officer Gene Murtaugh.
Arkansas officials said the Ireland visit builds on the Sanders administration’s efforts to attract international companies, encourage economic development and strengthen the state’s position in global markets.
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