Written Answers - Export Trade.
Ivor Callely
Question:
77
Mr. Callely
asked the
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment
the key countries which have been identified for development of exports; the countries targeted; the values of current trade; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[12593/01]
The Government, through the promotional agencies and Enterprise Ireland in particular, assists individual companies to develop their exports in all markets where there is potential.
The Government also seeks to assess export markets continuously to identify weaknesses and opportunities. While Enterprise Ireland maintains high levels of activity in many countries, much of the current focus in developing markets with significant potential for export growth is on Asia and the EU.
The Government's Asia strategy, which was put in place in 1999, was designed to increase the awareness of Ireland as a source of supply in Asia, on the one hand, and to increase the exposure of Irish companies to the high potential markets in the region, on the other. China and Japan were identified as the key markets but there has also been activity in other Asian markets such as India, Korea and Taiwan.
Last year exports to Japan totalled £2.47 billion compared with £1.54 billion in 1999. Imports in 2000 totalled £2.08 billion. This was the first year in which Ireland had a trade surplus with Japan. We expect exports to grow further this year. In support of that goal the Tánaiste led a trade mission to Japan in March which included 64 companies. During the mission contracts worth $26 million were signed and nine further agency, distribution and partnership agreements were concluded.
Last year our exports to China also increased substantially to £131 million from £93.7 million in 1999. Imports from China totalled £706 million. Since last year we have seen a substantial increase in activity between Ireland and China, including the trade mission of 51 companies in September. There have also been eight visits by groups of Chinese companies to Ireland since September last year and as a result we expect exports to continue to increase.
In Europe, Enterprise Ireland launched a major strategy last year to encourage more companies to develop their sales to our partners in the EU. Measures taken in support of this goal include the provision of language and marketing training for companies and the establishment of new incubator units in seven key cities – Paris, Dusseldorf, Munich, Amsterdam, Stockholm, Madrid and Vienna – to assist Irish companies to establish themselves in the markets.
Last year our exports to the EU other than the UK amounted to over £26 billion, up from £22.7 billion in 1999. Imports in 2000 amounted to slightly over £10 billion.
The United States continues to represent a market with significant potential for Irish companies in spite of the current economic uncertainty there. Last year exports to the USA increased to £11.2 billion from £8.1 billion in 1999. Imports increased to £7.2 billion.
Other markets which present valuable opportunities and which have been relatively under developed by Irish companies include Russia, Mexico and the countries seeking to join the European Union.
