Vol. 445 No. 6
346 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade, in regard to the commitment given in the Programme for Competitiveness and Work, 1994 to 1997, the proposals, if any, he has to help the export sector overcome the problems caused by peripheral location and to develop a sustainable share of key markets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11/94]
The Government has included in the National Development Plan (1994-1999) a range of measures under which An Bord Tráchtála (ABT) will provide assistance to Irish companies to exploit business opportunities in both domestic and international markets.
The focus of this work is, among other things, to enable Irish companies to overcome the disadvantages of peripherality by means of strengthening their marketing capability, identifying new markets and consolidating existing ones. Services offered to firms include independent consultancy, market research and in-market developmental work, trade fairs, trade missions and, in certain circumstances, financial assistance towards firms' marketing costs.
In addition, last year, on foot of a specific commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government to encourage the location of more Irish salespeople in overseas markets. I launched the EUROPLACE scheme which aims to double the number of Irish salespeople in overseas markets. by 1996.
Based on this programme of activities, and with the assistance of EU funding, I have set ABT an overall target of increasing the exports of indigenous industry to £6.8 billion by 1999.
