asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the trading situation for 1974 and 1975 as between this country and Scandinavia; and if he will make a statement on the steps that have been taken to obtain for Ireland a more favourable balance.
84.
Written Answers. - Trading Figures.
83.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the trading figures for 1974 and 1975 between Ireland and West Germany; and the steps being taken to correct the imbalance.
85.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the trading situation for the years 1974 and 1975 as between this country and the Middle East; and the steps being taken to correct the imbalance.
86.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the import/export figures for 1974 and 1975 between this country and France; and the steps being taken to correct the imbalances.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle I propose to take Questions Nos. 83, 84, 85 and 86 together and to circulate in the Official Report a statement giving figures for trade between Ireland and the countries in question in 1974 and to the extent that they are available, in 1975.
In the case of countries with which Ireland has an adverse trade balance the general aim is to seek to improve the position by encouraging the expansion of exports. Córas Tráchtála provide a wide range of grants, incentives and services for exporters and maintain permanent representatives in France, Germany, Scandinavia and the Middle East.
Córas Tráchtála's export promotional activity in recent years has included the organisation of extensive participation by Irish exporting interests in a considerable number of trade fairs and specialised exhibitions in France, Germany and Scandinavia and also an intensive programme of trade missions, group and individual company visits to the Middle East and to Scandinavia. Inward buyer group visits from a number of the countries concerned have also been arranged by Córas Tráchtála. These activities will continue in 1976 during which there will be particular emphasis on increased visits by individual companies to the Middle East.
It is intended to hold discussions in 1976 with a number of Middle East countries with a view to the conclusion of agreements on economic, industrial, scientific and technological co-operation with them. It is expected that the agreements would further facilitate the development of exports of Irish goods and services to those countries.
Following is the statement:
|
£000 |
||||
|
Country |
1974 |
1975 |
||
|
Imports |
Exports |
Imports |
Exports |
|
|
France |
87,185 |
35,779 |
85,927 |
63,783 |
|
West Germany |
125,858 |
66,382 |
120,194 |
114,759 |
|
Scandinavia |
90,339 |
22,527 |
76,768 |
28,416 |
|
Norway |
9,452 |
3,992 |
8,448 |
3,593 |
|
Sweden |
40,215 |
12,134 |
36,167 |
15,183 |
|
Denmark |
14,985 |
3,894 |
13,303 |
5,147 |
|
Finland |
25,687 |
2,507 |
18,850 |
4,493 |
|
*January-September 1975 |
||||
|
Middle East |
89,987 |
9,814 |
71,001 |
16,820 |
|
Bahrein |
8 |
106 |
68 |
222 |
|
Iran |
21,952 |
1,414 |
17,586 |
4,577 |
|
Iraq |
10 |
780 |
5,051 |
926 |
|
Israel |
3,384 |
2,571 |
2,975 |
2,839 |
|
Jordan |
1 |
53 |
2 |
268 |
|
Kuwait |
22,921 |
487 |
22,773 |
766 |
|
Lebanon |
88 |
550 |
41 |
583 |
|
Libya |
— |
1,039 |
— |
3,293 |
|
Oman |
— |
184 |
— |
152 |
|
Saudi Arabia |
41,190 |
1,033 |
22,295 |
1,007 |
|
Southern Yemen |
— |
118 |
— |
79 |
|
Sudan |
24 |
536 |
63 |
888 |
|
Syria |
41 |
104 |
12 |
301 |
|
United Arab Emirates |
12 |
506 |
— |
398 |
|
Egypt |
356 |
204 |
135 |
277 |
|
Yemen |
— |
93 |
— |
43 |
*Trade figures for all Middle East countries for the full year 1975 are not yet available.