Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 July 2006
384 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of portfolios of potential industrial sites, businesses or potential entrepreneurial opportunities from the Kildare south constituency that he or his officials or the officials of any State agency that accompanied him on the trade mission to Japan and China; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25527/06]
View answer385 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of companies from the Kildare south constituency that were contacted in regard to the trade mission to Japan and China; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25528/06]
View answer386 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the constitution of the trade delegation to Japan and China in June 2006; the format used to determine the companies or organisations that are on the delegation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25529/06]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 384 to 386, inclusive, together.
Potential participants on any Enterprise Ireland organised trade event are canvassed in advance to ascertain their interest in becoming involved. The canvass is based on existing exporters to that particular market; potential exporters identified by Enterprise Ireland and companies which Enterprise Ireland has previously worked with in the market. Organisations such as the Chambers of Commerce, County Enterprise Boards, Irish Exporters Association and bodies such as Bord Bia and BIM may also be approached, where appropriate, to ascertain their interest and that of their members in participation. This process is not dealt with on a geographical basis and, given the different strands involved, as set out above, it is not possible to say definitively how many specific organisation in County Kildare may have been canvassed.
The composition of the 30 companies who participated in last week's Trade Mission to Japan is as follows:
|
Sector |
No. of Participating Companies |
|
ICT and Technology |
15 |
|
Food |
5 |
|
Engineering Services |
3 |
|
Aeronautical |
2 |
|
Financial |
2 |
|
Healthcare |
2 |
|
Consumer |
1 |
These companies did not opt to participate in the China leg of the visit.
The focus of the Chinese part of the Mission was the consolidation of existing trade and economic relations with China. This involved a range of events, including the opening of representational offices for Tourism Ireland and the IDA, opening of two new Enterprise Ireland incubator units in Shanghai and Beijing, as well as other promotional events and the signature of company agreements. On this particular Trade Mission, none of the 30 companies were from County Kildare. In relation to specific sites or facilities in Kildare, or indeed, elsewhere, this would not arise, as Trade Missions do not have a specific geographical focus.
The objectives of the Mission were to raise awareness of Ireland as a source of world class products and services in the Japanese market; to assist Enterprise Ireland client companies in developing existing business and securing new business in the Japanese market; to highlight the successes of Irish companies in Japan and create a more positive image of Japan within the Irish business community.
