Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 April 2022
68. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on the trade promotion missions that have been undertaken to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18657/22]
View answer77. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the work he is undertaking to promote new and existing trading links; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18730/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 68 and 77 together.
Each year, Enterprise Ireland offers a programme of trade missions and events which support the goal of securing high-level market access for companies based in Ireland who are aiming to grow business overseas and increase domestic employment.
In recent years the majority of Ministerial-led Trade Missions have taken place to the Eurozone, North America and Asia Pacific, which represented the strongest growth opportunities for Irish companies. These Trade Missions focused on promoting the innovative capabilities and competitive offerings of Irish companies to international buyers in sectors including internationally traded services, fintech, high-tech construction, engineering, ICT and lifesciences.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, trade missions took place virtually throughout 2020 and during Quarters 1 to 3 of 2021. Physical trade missions took place during Quarter 4 of 2021.
In February of this year, following the conclusion of the informal Trade Council meeting in Marseille, the Tánaiste went on a trade promotion visit in the Marseille region and in Paris to meet with a number of client companies of both Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland. These companies are at the forefront of research & innovation and are actively using collaboration and partnership to successfully expand their footprint in global markets.
As part of the Government's 2022 St Patrick's Day programme of Ministerial visits abroad to promote Ireland and Irish interests around the world, the Tánaiste visited Colombia and Chile, Minister English visited Sweden and I travelled to India. The international programme of visits focussed on the theme of Rebuilding Connections and Supporting Communities across the globe. These visits also provided opportunity to engage in events to support our trading and investment relationships, including meetings with a number of Irish businesses and senior business executives operating in these countries.
In conjunction with my 2022 St Patrick’s Day visit to India, I carried out a wider trade promotion programme in Delhi and Mumbai which included a campus visit to Delhi University to mark its partnership with UCD, meetings with client companies of Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland, the launch of the India-Ireland Business Association, India branch, and the official opening of Ireland House, Mumbai.
My Department is currently working closely with its agencies on a trade mission schedule for Q2 of 2022 which will maximise opportunities to help Irish companies to access new markets and to increase the levels of foreign direct investment into Ireland. Trade missions are being planned for the second quarter to the USA, Mexico, Europe and New Zealand. The trade mission schedule for 2022 is being planned and reviewed on a quarterly basis due to the changing global environment and adjustments will be made where deemed necessary.
