Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 16 Feb 1994

Vol. 438 No. 8

Written Answers. - Overseas Trade Missions.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

12 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the success of the various overseas trade missions in the past 12 months; the expected increase for Irish industry arising from such trade missions; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Tourism and Trade (Mr. McCreevy)

An Bord Tráchtála organised a programme of general and specified trade missions for Irish companies to various parts of the world, last year. In all, 330 manufacturing and services companies participated in the 18 missions organised by ABT during 1993. I myself led eight overseas promotional visits, taking in 14 countries.

However, while ABT and participants consistently see trade missions and promotional visits as being very important for sourcing business, it is too soon yet to quantify the benefits to Irish industry from the past year's calendar of events. Some companies conclude business deals during the different trade missions — for example, when I was in Mexico last year, I was present at the signing of contracts worth in excess of 2 million — while, for others, the missions afford an opportunity to explore new markets and to identify potential business partners offering the possibility of medium to long term export contracts.