asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Tourism the reason for the unfavourable movement in Ireland's trade balance with Indonesia since 1974, and the arrangements made by Córas Tráchtála to promote exports to Indonesia.
Written Answers. - Exports to Indonesia.
343.
The main reason for the fluctuating trade balance between Ireland and Indonesia lies in the nature of the principal goods traded between both countries. Since 1974 the bulk of this trade consisted of items having the characteristics of commodity products, which are sensitive to movements in currency rates and prices.
Córas Tráchtála provides full market research information to Irish firms to enable them to assess the potential of the Indonesian market. However, in Córas Tráchtála's assessment of international markets generally, Indonesia does not, at this point, rank as a market with major potential for Irish products.