Governor Larry Hogan Joins Maryland Commerce for Signing Ceremony With Midlands Engine

Baltimore, Md. (June 21, 2017) – Governor Larry Hogan today joined the Maryland Department of Commerce and Midlands Engine for a ceremony during which a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed to strengthen the relationship between Maryland, the center of research and innovation in cybersecurity in the U.S., and the Midlands region, a premier cybersecurity cluster in the United Kingdom. The agreement was signed by Maryland Commerce Secretary Mike Gill and Sir John Peace, chairman of the Midlands Engine initiative, in London during the governor’s trade mission.

The MOU is designed to promote economic development, assist cybersecurity companies in Maryland and the Midlands, and attract investments in each. As part of the agreement, an exchange program will be developed, by which U.K. cyber companies will visit Maryland to explore the U.S. market and to establish or increase a presence in the U.S., and Maryland cyber companies will visit the Midlands region for similar purposes.

“Today’s agreement with Midlands Engine will foster economic development, build our cybersecurity sectors, and spur economic growth in both the U.K. and the U.S.,” said Governor Hogan. “This exciting partnerships will open up markets and opportunities for cyber companies, allow cyber experts to share information and technologies, and further Maryland’s standing as the cybersecurity capital of America.”

“I’m delighted that we have signed this MOU with Maryland, an internationally recognised cybersecurity leader, with the world’s largest concentrations of cybersecurity companies,” said Sir John Peace. “This builds on the successful CyberMaryland Conference in 2016 and a reciprocal visit earlier this month, where companies from across the Midlands and Maryland forged mutually beneficial partnerships. The MOU will further business development opportunities between the two regions and build relationships to grow our internationally-renowned cyber locations.”

Earlier this month, Ken McCreedy, managing director of cybersecurity and aerospace for the Maryland Department of Commerce, led a delegation of Maryland cyber companies to the INFOSEC Europe in London. The group also traveled to the Midlands region, where they met with 70 U.K. companies to identify ways in which they could collaborate.

The MOU is for a period of three years, and can be renewed by both parties.

 

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