Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 6 Feb 2001

Vol. 529 No. 4

Written Answers. - Trade with Egypt.

Ivor Callely

Ceist:

99 Mr. Callely asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the products or services that Egypt may be in a position to supply to Ireland in view of our good relationship and exports to the Egyptian market; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2902/01]

Ivor Callely

Ceist:

100 Mr. Callely asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the nature of the proposed exploratory trade mission to Egypt by Enterprise Ireland; the areas that have been identified as areas of mutual interest; the total exports to and imports from Egypt in the year 2000; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2903/01]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Mr. Treacy)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 99 and 100 together.

The latest provisional trade figures from the Central Statistics Office indicate that Ireland's exports to Egypt for the period from January to October 2000 totalled £157.2 million, a 20% increase on the same period in 1999. The major exports in this period were meat and meat preparations, computers and computer parts, miscellaneous food preparations, fish and seafood, essential oils and industrial machinery.

The provisional figures indicate that Ireland's imports from Egypt for the period from January to October 2000 totalled £8.6 million, an increase of 48% on the same period in 1999. The main imports in this period were clothing, power generating machinery, textiles and metal manufactures.

Egypt is one of the world's fastest growing developing markets with good potential for Irish exporters. Enterprise Ireland has identified the environmental technology, food process and packaging, health care and telecommunications sectors as having the most potential for Irish exporters.

I hope to lead a trade mission organised by Enterprise Ireland to Egypt later this spring at the invitation of Egypt's Minister Nazif, Minister of Communications and Information. The trade mission will include companies in the software and information technology sectors.

Egypt is a significant oil producer and a rapidly growing gas producer. Egypt is currently placing great emphasis on expanding its existing food processing facilities and on establishing new markets for its products. While development of overseas markets for Egyptian exports is a matter primarily for the Egyptian authorities, the Government, through its various agencies, would be pleased to assist in identifying suitable potential Irish partner companies for Egyptian businesses.