Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 20 Apr 2000

Vol. 518 No. 5

Written Answers. - Ministerial Travel.

Michael D'Arcy

Question:

25 Mr. D'Arcy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will report on her visit to India; the contracts or agreements which were signed; the nature of these contracts; and the results she expects from her visit. [11979/00]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

48 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the nature and number of trade contacts established in the course of her recent trade promotion trip to India and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11991/00]

Derek McDowell

Question:

58 Mr. McDowell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will make a statement on her recent visit to India. [11961/00]

Nora Owen

Question:

69 Mrs. Owen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will report on her visit to India; the contracts or agreements that were signed; the nature of such contracts; and the results she expects from her visit. [12147/00]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

87 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of new jobs or investment opportunities likely to arise here from her recent overseas promotional tour and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12206/00]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Ms Harney)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 25, 48, 58, 69 and 87 together.

I led the first Irish software trade mission to India, organised by Enterprise Ireland, from 6-13 April last. Representatives from Enterprise Ireland, 11 Irish based software companies and three other organisations accompanied me.

Enterprise Ireland organised an extensive programme of meetings with potential buyers and business partners for each of the participating Irish companies during visits to New Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore.

The objectives of the mission were: to assist selected information technology and software companies to gain access to the Indian market at the highest levels; to assist these companies to investigate all elements of the market, including local competition and supporting infrastructure; to investigate the possibilities of developing mutually beneficial partnerships between Indian and Irish companies in the software sector and enable companies in Ireland to access Indian software skills; to promote Ireland as a suitable location for Indian companies to form partnerships with their Irish counterparts; generally to increase awareness of Ireland and in particular Ireland's economic performance in recent years; and to enable Enterprise Ireland to assess the potential for business development between Ireland and India in the software sector and to make decisions on the priority and allocation of resources in this area.

During my visit the following agreements were concluded. I signed a technology agreement between the Irish and Indian Governments, the terms of which will commit both Governments to examine the possibilities for greater co-operation in the fields of electronics and information technology. The Indian Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Information Technology also signed it. Two Irish technology companies signed significant new agreements with Indian partners. These joint ventures are targeting the domestic Indian market and international markets. A memorandum of understanding was signed by representatives of the Irish Software Association and India's National Association of Software and Services Companies. The MOU will provide a basis for mutual co-operation and information exchange.

There is major potential for the Irish and Indian software industries to exploit one another's knowledge and expertise and to extend their market reach. There are many opportunities for Irish companies to supply products to a number of industry sectors in India. Ireland has 600 indigenous software companies with strong creative and innovative flair. Indian business partners could service and supply these products within the massive Indian market.

Smaller Irish and Indian companies could partner with each other to find staff and support and distribute products within India. Ireland could also act as an entry point for Indian companies which want to expand into Europe.