asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the full extent and location of assistance now available to Irish exporters from State agencies in (a) the Middle East, (b) Central and Eastern Europe and (c) the United States and Latin America; the degree to which these agencies, if any, have assisted Irish Exporters in 1987 and 1988; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Irish Exporters' Assistance.
54.
Córas Tráchtála is the State agency responsible for the promotion and development of exports. CCT provides assistance to exporters and by way of trade information, overseas promotion and marketplace services. The services are supplied through CTT offices at home and abroad and through a network of trade correspondents in the relevant markets.
In relation to the specific regions referred to by the Deputy, the position is as follows:
Middle East
CCT maintains an office in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and employs the services of trade consultants in Jordan, Lebanon, Israeli, Kuwait, Algeria and Cyprus. In addition, CTT head office staff travel on specific projects to markets such as Iraq, Iran the United Arab Emirates and Libya. CTT's investment in Middle East markets is commensurate with market opportunities and with the commercial interests of Irish exporters of goods and services.
Over 100 Irish exporters availed of CTT services in Middle Eastern markets both in 1987 and 1988.
Central/Eastern Europe
By Central Europe I am taking it that the Deputy means Austria and Switzerland i.e. those countries not in the EC nor in Eastern Europe. These countries are covered by the CTT office in Dusseldorf and CTT also engages trade consultant in Switzerland. 110 Irish exporters availed of services in 1987 and 70 in 1988.
By Eastern Europe I take it that the Deputy means Poland, Hungary, USSR, Bulgaria, Romania, East Germany Czechoslovakia, Albania and Yugoslavia. CTT maintains an office in Moscow and employs the services of trade consultants in Poland, Hungary and Czechoslovakia.
Approximately 50 Irish exporters of goods and services availed of CTT assistance in Eastern European markets during each of the years 1987-1988.
United States
CTT provide assistance to Irish exporters through offices based in New York and in Chicago and through trade consultants based in Boston, Atlanta and San Francisco.
Over 650 exporters were assisted in 1987. Approximately 600 exporters were assisted in the US during 1988.
Latin America
CTT provide services to a very small number of Irish exporters to Latin America through its head office, its New York office, through the Irish Embassy in Argentina and through a trade consultant in Ecuador.
During the two-year period 1987-1988, less than ten requests for assistance were received in relation to this market region.
Further details in respect of the issues raised by the Deputy is contained in the Annual Review and Outlook for 1988-89, as published by Córas Tráchtála, a copy of which I will forward to him.