Enterprise Ireland is responsible for the development and growth of Irish companies in world markets and works in partnership with these companies to help them start, grow, innovate, be competitive and secure export sales. In line with the FoodWise 2025 Strategy (and previously Food Harvest 2020), Enterprise Ireland is committed to working with food and drink companies to help them scale, be competitive and innovative, and to create sustainable jobs across every region in Ireland. Enterprise Ireland has resources in over 30 international locations, facilitating access to more than 60 countries worldwide. Bord Bia’s focus is on the development of markets for Irish food and livestock and for the promotion of Irish food and drink at home and around the world. Bord Bia operates from overseas offices in 11 locations, i.e. Amsterdam, Dubai, Dusseldorf, London, Madrid, Milan, Moscow, New York, Paris, Shanghai and Stockholm with new offices due to open shortly in Singapore and Warsaw. Most offices are co-located with Enterprise Ireland and/or the Irish embassy network.
Both agencies work together to support Irish food & drinks companies to grow jobs and exports. Irish food and drink exports have now experienced six consecutive years of growth to reach €10.8 billion in 2015, which is 52% higher and €3.7 billion more than in 2009.
Enterprise Ireland and Bord Bia link in multiple ways including the following:
(i) Co-location of offices and working through the Local Embassy teams allows the agencies to share information about trade opportunities, client visits and joint promotions.
(ii) Bord Bia is a member of Enterprise Ireland’s Capital Investment Initiative Committee and R&D Committee.
(iii) Bord Bia assists Enterprise Ireland in completing commercial due diligence in relation to proposed investment cases.
(iv) Enterprise Ireland and Bord Bia have jointly undertaken a number of overseas trade missions.
(v) The 4th FoodWorks programme, a dedicated programme for food & drink entrepreneurs developed by Enterprise Ireland, Bord Bia and Teagasc, was recently launched and is currently sourcing new applicants.
Bord Bia supports companies to undertake market research, provides market and consumer insights to the sector and supports food & drink companies to attend trade events. Enterprise Ireland’s overseas offices may assist food & drink clients in regions and in partnership with Bord Bia where Bord Bia does not have an office/resource in place.
Both agencies frequently work together in planning and executing overseas activities and events. Client related information is shared by both agencies providing the client company gives its permission for this.
