asked the Minister for Tourism, Fisheries and Forestry if he will make a statement on the research and promotion of new fish products and the additional works which will be undertaken in 1986 by BIM in regard to addedvalue and opening new market opportunities for fish products.
Written Answers. - Promotion of Fish Products.
77.
BIM operates a programme of technical assistance to firms in the development of new products. Firms can also obtain financial assistance from other agencies such as the IDA and Údarás na Gaeltachta for this purpose. BIM staff provide a valuable input to this work in the technical development area.
BIM fully support the export of added-value fish products and has commissioned a series of market research reports on particular product areas. Findings from these studies will help exporting companies to exploit identifiable markets. BIM will participate in the SIAL International Food Fair in Paris next October, where individual companies will exhibit a range of their consumer products on the board's stand.