Michael Woods
Ceist:67 Dr. Woods asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the plans, if any, he has to draw up a White Paper on trade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10247/96]
Written Answers. - White Paper on Trade.
The recent White Paper Challenges and Opportunities Abroad contained a summary of our trade policy and characterised it as export led growth through:
— improving and expanding access to markets through multilateral and bilateral negotiations,
— supporting effective promotional programmes and structures for marketing,
— ensuring the necessity for exporters to maintain competitiveness is factored into Government policies impacting on business cost.
Numerous sources and studies testify to the strength of our trade performance in recent years based on this policy and the resultant employment growth. EU co-funded expenditures of almost £450 million over the six year period 1994-99 under the sub-programme for market development on a range of promotional activities will serve to further underpin the success of this policy.
There are no plans at present to publish a further, separate White Paper on trade.