asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether there has been any improvement in the balance of trade with east European countries over the past two years; and whether any measures are under consideration to improve the situation.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers. - Trade with Eastern Europe.
108.
There has been an increase in Irish exports to East European countries over the past two years as compared with previous years but because our imports from them have also risen there has been no improvement in the balance of trade.
In the case of countries with which we have an adverse trade balance, including those in Eastern Europe, the general aim is to seek to improve the position by encouraging the expansion of exports. It is expected that export promotion measures already undertaken and others which are planned will be of considerable assistance in securing a significant expansion of exports to those countries in future years. The Deputy is probably aware that trade agreements have been concluded with both Bulgaria and Roumania. The possibility of concluding trade agreements has also been the subject of discussions at official level with three other countries.
As the Deputy is aware, the Government, through Córas Tráchtála, has made a wide range of grant incentives and other services available to exporters. As part of its range of services Córas Tráchtála maintains an office in Vienna for the benefit of exporters to East European countries. Trade promotion activities by Córas Tráchtála in Eastern Europe in the current year include the organisation of Irish national stands at five trade fairs.
During the coming week a trade mission, under the sponsorship of Córas Tráchtála, the Confederation of Irish Industry and the Irish Exporters Association, will visit Poland and Czechoslovakia. Twenty-four leading firms in the engineering, consumer-goods and other fields are participating in the mission.