Vol. 452 No. 6
6 Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the contracts, if any, that were concluded as a result of the recent trade mission to South America; his proposals for the further development of trade with South America; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8358/95]
I understand from An Bord Tráchtála that the trade mission to which the Deputy refers secured immediate orders to the value of £2 million and that follow-up business to the value of £5 million is anticipated over the next two years.
Exports to South America have shown encouraging growth in recent years and came to more than £90 million in 1993. South America has a population of more than 300 million and an abundance of natural resources, and if the economic reforms and market opening currently underway in many South American countries succeeds in generating sustainable growth, there should be even better opportunities for Irish exporters in the future. I will continue to avail of all appropriate bilateral contacts, as well as discussions at EU and WTO level, to press for enhanced access for Irish companies to South American markets, and I will also support closer economic and trade links between the EU and South America.
