Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 September 2013
519. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the steps being taken to encourage and enable indigenous Irish firms to export to Latin America particularly in the context of that continent's rapid population growth and developing economies and in view of the fact that that continent is currently Ireland's smallest export region accounting for just under €140 million worth of exports in 2012. [38094/13]
View answerEnterprise Ireland (EI) has, in the last three years, significantly increased the number of staff focussed on Latin America. The team now consists of two staff in Sao Paulo and three staff based in Dublin. In addition, EI has added 20 Pathfinders in the priority market of Brazil and throughout Latin Market, including a presence on the ground in Mexico. These are market experts in vertical sectors which match the areas of priority and greatest opportunity for Irish companies.
In line with its client-led approach, Enterprise Ireland has prioritised the Brazilian market in Latin America for supporting our indigenous companies to grow their exports. EI established the office in Sao Paulo, Brazil in 2008, with the objective to support indigenous Irish firms who are clients of the agency to build market sales to the Brazilian market, the largest in Latin America.
A Ministerial-led Trade Mission to Brazil is to take place shortly. Over 35 participants will travel to build on Enterprise Irelands on-going work with its client companies and previous Ministerial Trade Missions in 2008 and 2010 and the Trade Mission led by President Higgins in 2012. In conjunction with our Embassies in the region, EI continues to promote, through speaking engagements, social media sites, networks and trade and other media, key messages regarding Ireland. In addition, EI will host a Business Breakfast in Mexico City on the occasion of the visit of President Higgins to Mexico in October 2013.
In 2013 Enterprise Ireland has also organised 5 inward buying delegations from Brazil. These were focussed on areas of significant opportunity for Irish companies and the delegations included senior executives from major Brazilian companies in Life Sciences, Agri-technology, Financial Services and Telecommunications. These visits have opened up opportunities for Irish companies in a variety of end markets, and EI will be working closely with these companies to help deliver sales and ultimately jobs for these indigenous firms.
I am confident that, with the efforts being made by Enterprise Ireland and the resources being made available to the agency by the Government, exports to the region will continue to grow.
