Vol. 561 No. 4
110 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the outcome of the official visit to Mexico in respect of specific business or trade deals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1586/03]
The Taoiseach visited Mexico in January last. Enterprise Ireland welcomed the opportunity to participate in the visit by the Taoiseach as it gave an opportunity to raise the profile of Ireland in Mexico, present a strong platform to develop links to the Mexican market and provided Enterprise Ireland clients with an excellent opportunity to strengthen and deepen their links with actual and potential Mexican customers.
The companies that participated in the trade mission were chosen to reflect the cross-sectoral opportunities that currently exist in Mexico. A total of 18 representatives from Enterprise Ireland's clients participated in the mission and these engaged in more than 80 meetings with Mexican customers and potential customers. The major sectors represented by Enterprise Ireland's clients on this trade mission were the software, engineering and educational sectors. The mission also included the Dublin Chamber of Commerce and the Irish Dairy Board, which had their own programmes. During the visit the chief executive of Enterprise Ireland held meetings with the major trade organisations, the Ministry of Economics and the premier bank in Mexico.
While it is difficult at this early stage to quantify the actual impact of the trade mission in terms of, for example, deals done or partnerships formed, Enterprise Ireland is confident that, in the medium to long-term, client companies will secure significant business in Mexico. A formal review process on the visit is now under way. Based on information currently available to Enterprise Ireland, it can be stated that all the participating client companies are of the view that their participation was well worthwhile for the following two reasons. First, the presence of the Taoiseach gave the mission, its participants and, indeed, Ireland, a high profile in the local Mexican media. Second, as the Enterprise Ireland breakfast was hosted by the Taoiseach, this enabled the companies, through the ambassador's invitations, to attract the presence of senior representatives from their targeted actual and potential customers. More than 200 representatives of Mexican industry attended the breakfast.
We have noted in recent days that the Mexican President, Vincente Fox, seems to adopt an independent role in diplomatic and, perhaps, economic matters. During the visit our solidarity with the Mexican people in the 19th century, in the battle for Texas and so forth, was recalled. Were any mechanisms put in place whereby companies which Enterprise Ireland assists in Silicon Valley in California would be enabled, through the North American free trade agreement, to enter the Mexican market more freely? Will the Minister outline the current state of the export trade to Mexico?
Enterprise Ireland has closely monitored the opportunities in Mexico over the last number of years and exports are estimated to have been worth approximately €460 million in the past year. That is a threefold increase since 1997. In 2001, the last full year for which information is available, Mexico was our 21st largest export market and Ireland had a trade surplus of almost €310 million with Mexico.
Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.
