Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 March 2013
66. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the efforts being made by his Department to foster trade with Brazil; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15832/13]
View answerBrazil, now the world’s sixth largest economy, is a priority market under the Government’s Trade Strategy. Officials of my Department work closely with State Agencies to promote trade and investment opportunities in this significant market. The overall trend in trade with Brazil is very positive. Ireland’s exports to Brazil reached €256 million in 2012, up 58% on 2007. Trade in services is also strong with Irish exports reaching €257 million in 2011, an increase of 47% on the previous year.
The promotion of strong bilateral relations with Brazil is a priority for Government. The successful visit to Brazil last October by President Michael D. Higgins provided a valuable opportunity to raise Ireland’s profile. President Higgins had a very positive meeting with Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff during which they discussed the growing bilateral relationship, in particular as regards trade and education. The President also met with political and business leaders in Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Brasilia. In this regard, I welcome indications that both the Mayor and Governor of Sao Paulo have announced their intention of sending, respectively, a trade mission and an investment mission to Ireland in the period ahead. Our Embassy in Brazil is following up with their respective offices.
My colleague the Minister of State for Trade and Development, Mr Joe Costello T.D., accompanied President Higgins and led a highly successful Enterprise Ireland Trade Mission. Other State Agencies that participated included IDA Ireland, Tourism Ireland, Science Foundation Ireland and Bord Bia. 42 Irish businesses and third-level education institutions participated and they were drawn from a wide-range of sectors including education, telecommunications, financial and engineering services. During the Mission participants advanced their interests in a range of ways including by securing export contracts, opening facilities and putting in place Memoranda of Understanding with Brazilian partners.
The Irish Embassy in Brazil and the Irish State Agencies work closely together on the promotion of Irish interests. Earlier this month, the Ambassador and his team collaborated with IDA Ireland on an investment mission that took place in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Plans are already underway for a further Enterprise Ireland Ministerial-led mission to Brazil later this year which will focus on Education and Technology, and the Embassy is working closely with the Enterprise Ireland office in Sao Paulo in this regard.
Officials of my Department both in the Embassy and at Headquarters will continue to collaborate closely with State Agencies, as well as with the network of governmental and business contacts that we have developed in Brazil, so as to provide effective support to Irish businesses and education institutions pursuing opportunities in this dynamic, high-growth market.
