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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 2 Mar 1993

Vol. 427 No. 2

Written Answers. - Irish Goods Promotion.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

161 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the plans, if any, he has to enhance the prospects for Irish manufactured goods on European/World markets; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

162 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the extra means he intends to employ to promote Irish goods abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 161 and 162 together.

As Minister for Tourism and Trade, I propose to commit myself and my new Department to an extensive and dedicated programme of action designed to exploit the full potential of Irish business in foreign markets and, through international negotiation, to extend the range of these market opportunities, wherever possible. I will look afresh at all aspects of trading and will take on board all views so that an "enterprise culture" will become a reality.

Specifically, I will address the following points as operational priorities.

Single Market Unit

To assist Irish companies to compete in Europe, I will establish a Single Market Unit in my Department to ensure that the concerns of Irish business and industry are fully met and that any impediments to the smooth operation of business are eliminated. This new Unit will:—

—Develop and identify opportunities arising from the Single Market for Irish companies. For example, new rules in relation to public works contracts around the community open up a market valued at £300 billion in which Irish companies can compete.
—Co-ordination— the Single Market Unit will be the link between Ireland, other member states and the Commission.
—Problem Solving— the Single Market Unit will deal, directly, or through other appropriate bodies with problems brought to its attention by Irish companies.
Diversification into New Markets
Diversification into new products, new sectors and new markets is essential, but it must be done in a co-ordinated and focused way. In practical terms this means a more active involvement of Irish business in the market place. The number of "hands-on" Irish sales people operating in the marketplace must be increased. In response to this need, An Bord Tráchtála's EUROPLACE Scheme was launched yesterday. The scheme plans to increase the number of full-time sales people on the ground in Continental European markets from the current 60 to 150 in three years.
I have asked ABT to provide three year targets for exports by indigenous businesses by reference to different market regions worldwide. My plan is to better monitor what is happening in foreign markets and to make better linkages as between the capacities of existing and potential Irish exporters and the opportunities and realities of each homogeneous marketplace.
In 1993, ABT will, at my request, undertake the biggest promotional programme ever. To assist Irish business to diversify its geographical spread, I will lead trade missions to Eastern Europe, the CIS, the Asia-Pacific area, Saudi Arabia, Mexico and the USA.
This will involve 120 major sales generating initiatives in which more than 1,300 Irish exporters will participate and which will include a strong Irish presence at leading trade fairs, trade missions, buyer trips to Ireland and programmes for first-time exporters.
International Services
Huge untapped potential exists in the services sector. More attention is needed to identify niche markets for high value-added activities, which are less vulnerable to cost considerations, activities such as engineering consultancy, software, aviation and management services. In order to exploit our potential in international services and build on our recent successful experiences in Central and Eastern Europe, I have asked ABT to prepare a new, focused, programme to promote international services.
Foreign Earnings Committee
I intend to take a fresh look at how we can maximise our foreign earnings potential. I want to provide the most efficient structure for marketing Ireland and its products abroad. I am therefore commissioning consultants to carry out an independent review of existing foreign offices and of how Ireland is projected in foreign markets.
GATT
As Minister for Tourism and Trade, I am responsible for negotiating Ireland's position in the Uruguay Round of the GATT negotiations. I intend to take an active role in these discussions with a view to attending fully to Irish interests in future efforts to conclude the Round. I hope in the coming months to meet with and to hear at first hand the concerns and views of the key players in the Round both within and outside the Community, including the USA, France and Germany.
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