David Andrews
Question:145 Mr. Andrews asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the efforts, if any, that are being made by his Department to develop trade between Ireland and Morocco. [16472/95]
Written Answers. - Trade Relations.
Total trade with Morocco stood at £39.79 million in 1994. Imports came to £29.1 million (mainly mineral fertilizers) and exports at £10.69 million, leaving a balance of £18.41 million in Morocco's favour. Negotiations are in progress between Morocco and the EU for a new economic agreement which should further enhance the prospects for trade in both directions. An Bord Tráchtála will continue to monitor developments in the market and give assistance to exporters as the need arises.
David Andrews
Question:146 Mr. Andrews asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the efforts, if any, that are being made by his Department to develop trade between Ireland and Algeria. [16473/95]
Trade with Algeria has fluctuated considerably in recent years, reaching a low of £8.7 million in 1992 after a peak of £44.4 million in 1989. This may be partly explained by the commodity-based nature of trade between our countries: our main exports are beef and milk power, and the biggest import is mineral fertilizer. The total value of trade in 1994 came to £25.3 million, made up of £24.2 million in exports and £1.1 million in imports. I would be hopeful that the development of closer economic ties between the EU and Algeria will lead to a more diversified pattern of trade in the future. An Bord Tráchtála will continue to monitor the market and provide appropriate assistance to Irish exporters as the need arises.
David Andrews
Question:147 Mr. Andrews asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the efforts, if any, that are being made by his Department to develop trade between Ireland and Tunisia. [16474/95]
Total trade with Tunisia has grown steadily from a total of £7 million in 1990 to £15.4 million in 1994. In 1994 exports amounted to £6.1 million and imports to £9.3 million. The development of our future trading relationship with Tunisia, like the other countries of North Africa, will depend to a large extent on the EU's continuing development of closer economic ties with those countries, a policy which I fully support. An Bord Tráchtála will continue to monitor the Tunisian market and provide assistance to Irish exporters as the need arises.
David Andrews
Question:148 Mr. Andrews asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the efforts, if any, that are being made by his Department to develop trade between Ireland and Australia. [16475/95]
Australia is among our top 20 export markets, and despite the difficulties of distance, some 500 Irish companies have traded with Australia over the past five years. Total trade with Australia has grown from £99.5 million in 1990 to £145.2 million in 1994. Exports have increased from £88.7 million to £129.5 million over the same period. There are ten Australian firms operating in Ireland who between them account for up to 1,300 jobs, and more recently there have been some significant investments in Australia by Irish companies.
The explosion of economic growth and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region has inevitably led Australia to shift its trade focus away from Europe, but I have no doubt that Australia's relationship with the European Union Single Market will continue to be of major importance to both parties. The successful conclusion of the Uruguay Round and the establishment of the World Trade Organisation should provide an excellent basis for the harmonious development of future trade relations between the EU and Australia, and I am confident that Irish exporters can, with the assistance of An Bord Tráchtála, take advantage of this positive trade climate in the years to come.
David Andrews
Question:149 Mr. Andrews asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the efforts, if any, that are being made by his Department to develop trade between Ireland and New Zealand. [16476/95]
Total trade with New Zealand stood at £29.5 million in 1994, an increase of £7 million on 1993. Exports in 1994 came to £19.1 million and imports amounted to £10.4 million. Despite the difficulties for Irish exporters in serving such a distant market, exports have shown steady growth over the past three years, and the strengthening of the New Zealand economy augurs well for the future. An Bord Tráchtála will continue to use its trade consultant in Auckland to monitor the market and to assist Irish exporters in pursuing opportunities as they arise.
David Andrews
Question:150 Mr. Andrews asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the efforts, if any, that are being made by his Department to develop trade between Ireland and Argentina. [16477/95]
Total trade with Argentina has grown from £12.7 million in 1990 to £27.4 million in 1994. Exports have grown from £4.3 million to £20.1 million in the same period, and the preliminary figures for January-July 1995 show that strong growth is being maintained with exports at £21.6 million already exceeding the total for 1994. Argentina is undergoing a process of economic reform and trade liberalisation which, together with its membership of the MERCOSUR group of countries, makes it a very interesting market prospect for many Irish companies. Some of the larger Irish companies, such as the Kerry Group, have already established a presence there.
Our trading relations with Argentina were given a significant boost earlier this year when An Bord Tráchtála organised a very successful trade mission which coincided with the President's visit to Argentina. An Bord Tráchtála will continue to monitor the market and provide assistance to Irish exporters as the need arises.
David Andrews
Question:151 Mr. Andrews asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the efforts, if any, that are being made by his Department to develop trade between Ireland and Chile. [16478/95]
Total trade with Chile stood at £26.4 million in 1994, consisting of £21.8 million in exports and £4.6 million in imports. Exports have grown rapidly from just over £5 million in 1990, whereas imports have declined from £9 million over the same period. Chile has enjoyed good economic growth in recent years and its trade policy has included significant tariff reductions and market opening. An Bord Tráchtála considers that Chile has significant potential for Irish exporters, and a trade mission was organised to coincide with the President's visit to Chile earlier this year. An Bord Tráchtála will continue to monitor developments in the market and use the services of a trade consultant to assist in pursuing opportunities for Irish exporters.