Joe Walsh
Ceist:274 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade his views on the extent of our dependency on non-national exporting companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12437/97]
Written Answers. - Non-National Exporting Companies.
I understand that the Deputy has a related question tabled for written answer today by the Taoiseach.
The figures contained in the reply to that question only serve to confirm what was already widely understood, namely that the multinational sector is a very substantial contributor to this country's total merchandise exports. This contribution is a very welcome one, in terms of jobs and wealth created, both directly and indirectly. However, the focus of my Department, and the State agency responsible for trade promotion, An Bord Tráchtála (ABT), is to encourage the indigenous sector to continue to improve its export performance. This focus on indigenous firms is reflected in the market development sub-Programme of the Operational Programme for Industrial Development, 1994-99 which, in turn, is the basis for the activities of ABT.