Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 October 2018
313. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to have a trade mission to the east coast of the United States of America before the end of 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39768/18]
View answerIn March this year, Enterprise Ireland announced that it was set to undertake over 200 international and domestic trade events in 2018 to accelerate the number of Enterprise Ireland clients diversifying into new markets, beyond the UK and into the Eurozone and global markets. The number of trade events being undertaken represents a 50% increase on 2017, reflecting the challenge that Brexit poses for Irish businesses. 70 of these export focused trade events are being led by Government Ministers.
Given the strong economic and cultural ties, and the volume of mutual trade and investment, Ireland has a keen interest in promoting constructive trade and economic relations with the US.
In May 2018, I held a series of key political, trade and economic meetings with the US Administration and business leaders, in Washington and New York. These included meetings in Washington DC with US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, United States Trade Representative Ambassador Jeff Gerrish, White House Cyber Security Adviser Gail Slater, as well as the US Chamber of Commerce and a Roundtable with the Business Council of International Understanding.
At present there are no plans for a trade mission to the US East Coast before the end of 2018.
Later in the year, officials from my Department will begin discussions with Enterprise Ireland on the proposed Ministerial trade mission list for 2019, when consideration will be given to scheduling further US Trade Missions at that time.
