Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 September 2013
65. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the target for goods exports to be achieved in 2013; the measures he has taken to encourage trade in our goods exports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36927/13]
View answer107. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his Department's target for goods exports for 2013; his estimate that the outturn for 2013; his Department's target for 2014; the activities to increase trade he has scheduled between now and the end of the year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37859/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 65 and 107 together.
The total value of goods exports in 2012 was €92 billion, representing an increase of 0.9% on the 2011 figure (€91 billion), while goods exports for the first seven months of 2013 reached €51 billion; a decrease of 5.8% on the same period in 2012 (€54 billion). This decrease in goods exports is largely explained by a sharp, but not unexpected, fall in chemical and pharmaceutical products, which account for 60% of our goods exports. In this connection, the patent cliff has been well signalled and is built into the Government’s approach to encouraging export growth.
The Export Trade Council (ETC), which I chair and which includes representatives from the relevant Departments and state agencies, oversees the implementation of the targets in the Government’s Trade, Tourism and Investment Strategy; ‘Trading and Investing in a Smart Economy, 2010 – 2015 ’. The Strategy does not provide a breakdown of goods exports targets on a yearly basis but does set out concrete targets in trade, tourism and investment to be met by 2015, as well as a programme of actions to achieve these targets. Relating specifically to exports, these targets include: increasing the value of exports by agency assisted indigenous companies by 33% and diversifying the destination of indigenous exports. Progress in meeting these targets is evaluated by Forfás and is reviewed during the bi-annual ETC meetings. In May of this year, I reported to Government that with close collaboration between the Embassy network, state agencies and relevant Departments, progress towards the 2015 targets is continuing and is on track.
My Department and its Embassy network support Enterprise Ireland Ministerial led trade missions, which make a significant contribution to encouraging trade in our goods exports. In 2012, trade missions organised with the active support of the Embassy network and involving Enterprise Ireland client companies, secured over €200 million in new and additional contracts. This year, I led a trade mission to Turkey during which contracts of over €30 million were agreed. My colleague, the Minister of State for Trade and Development, Mr. Joe Costello TD., has led trade missions to Canada and Benelux; and will also lead a trade mission to South Africa & Nigeria in November.
Over the St. Patrick’s Day period, I attended the IDA event, ‘Invest in Ireland’ Business Leaders Forum, organised in conjunction with our Consulate General in Atlanta, as well as holding a number of meetings with major US and Irish companies operating in the area. My programme for Washington DC included meetings with President Obama and Secretary of State Kerry, and a number of high level political meetings during which the Transatlantic Trade & Investment Partnership and Ireland’s economic recovery were among the items discussed.
My Department also co-ordinates Joint Economic Commissions (JECs) with a number of high growth and emerging countries: Republic of Korea, Russia, China, Saudi Arabia and Libya (currently in abeyance). The focus of JEC discussions with these countries is on key priority sectors for the Irish export sector and for inward investment into Ireland. In 2012, my Department, in close collaboration with the relevant Departments and state agencies, held JECs with China and the Republic of Korea and is in the process of organising JECs with Russia and Saudi Arabia.
