I launched the new Africa Strategy of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in September 2011. A progress report on its implementation was presented by the Minister of State for Trade and Development, Joe Costello T.D., at the second Africa Ireland Economic Forum, which took place in Dublin on 22 October 2012. The progress report details the measures which have been put in place over the past year to ensure the successful implementation of the Strategy, and also outlines my Department’s plans in respect of the Strategy for the next twelve months. I have arranged for a copy of the report to be placed in the library of the Houses of the Oireachtas. We have received strong interest from across the Irish private sector in engaging with the Africa Strategy. Representatives from 160 Irish companies attended the Africa Ireland Economic Forum on 22 October, as well as officials and business representatives from 25 African countries. The Forum featured a wide range of Irish businesses which have successfully engaged in the African market. I addressed the Forum and held discussions with many of those present, from Ireland and from Africa. My Department has also consulted widely with the private sector over the past year as part of the review of the Irish Aid White Paper, and also at a number of trade promotion events focused on Africa that we have held this year.
The Africa Strategy is being driven in Africa through our network of eleven Embassies and through our Honorary Consuls. We have also stepped up our bilateral engagements with African leaders since the launch of the Strategy, including during my visit to a number of African countries earlier this year to foster opportunities for greater economic and political cooperation. This week the Minister of State for Trade and Development is travelling on trade promotion business to South Africa and Nigeria, two markets where Irish exports increased in 2011 by 9% and 40% respectively. He will also travel with officials from Enterprise Ireland and Bord Bia on the first ever trade focussed visit from Ireland to Ghana.
