asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the total export figures for countries in which CTT have offices; if he will compare the export figures for countries where An Córas Tráchtála have officials permanently working, with countries where no such personnel are working; and if he will make a statement on the effectiveness of the operations of An Córas Tráchtála.
Written Answers. - CTT Export Performance.
20.
Exports in 1986 to countries where CTT have offices, with permanent officals, were £8,333 million. This represents 89 per cent of total exports of £9,388 million. I propose, for the information of the Deputy, to publish a statement in the Official Report showing a breakdown.
Since the Office of Trade and Marketing was established by the Taoiseach, a major priority has been to urgently reorientate and focus our export effort. World trading conditions are now very difficult, competition is becoming tougher, markets everywhere have increasingly sophisticated needs and the urgency of achieving sustained growth in exports of indigenous firms is now greater than ever. Therefore, and as identified in various reports and studies, our export drive needs a fresh impetus. Accordingly I am putting to Government my plans to introduce legislation shortly which would specify revised policy guidelines for CTT requiring it to concentrate on strategic marketing by indigenous exporting firms. This would be the first major legislative initiative impacting directly on CTT's export strategy in 30 years. The Government have also announced the setting up of licenced trading houses and are considering other initatives and proposals from my Office of Trade and Marketing to boost exports.
Irish Exports IR£ (Million)
Countries in which CTT staff are based.
|
IR£m. |
|
|
UK |
3,201.3 |
|
France |
887.3 |
|
Belgium/Luxembourg |
450.2 |
|
Netherlands |
555.6 |
|
Germany |
1,022.1 |
|
Italy |
334.3 |
|
Denmark |
91.5 |
|
Spain |
137.3 |
|
USSR |
45.1 |
|
Sweden |
173.5 |
|
Switzerland |
155.0 |
|
USA |
819.2 |
|
Canada |
118.5 |
|
Signapore |
16.9 |
|
Australia |
80.0 |
|
Japan |
170.6 |
|
Bahrain |
4.8 |
|
China |
6.6 |
|
Saudi Arabia |
63.3 |
|
Total exports to countries with CTT staff permanently working |
8,333.1 |
|
Other |
1,055.1 |
|
Total exports |
9,388.2 |