Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:84 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the new markets for exports which have been identified in the past 12 months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24725/03
Vol. 573 No. 2
84 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the new markets for exports which have been identified in the past 12 months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24725/03
Ireland exports to many markets and the Government's strategy is to create further market opportunities where they exist. The Government, through Enterprise Ireland, supports the growth of Irish exports by working with individual companies in identifying new product and market opportunities and seeking to capitalise on them. This has been a key priority over the past few years as international market conditions have deteriorated and the focus of exporters has been firmly on generating new sales leads and securing sales.
An important source of new market opportunities is the Enterprise Ireland overseas office network, which has an ongoing scanning role for new potential buyers and sectors. These are subsequently brought to the attention of Enterprise Ireland clients in Ireland and incorporated, as appropriate, in their development plans. In addition, the Enterprise Ireland annual business review surveys the sales and export markets of clients and specifically addresses the question of priority markets.
The key mechanism used by Enterprise Ireland in developing new market areas for clients is to broker meetings with significant international buyers, either through inward buyer missions or outward trade missions. In 2002, 2,220 such meetings were arranged with 340 client companies participating in 34 such trade missions.
Since the middle of September this year Enterprise Ireland has organised significant trade missions, led either by the President or a Minister, to the Middle East, Canada, China and Russia.
Further trade missions are planned for Finland, Italy, Germany and Scotland before the end of the year.
China is now one of the most sought after trading partners in the world and Enterprise Ireland is keen to build on and expand a pattern of growth in two-way trade between the two countries. An estimated 150 Irish companies are currently doing business in China and Hong Kong and many have well established partnerships and business alliances with local companies.
Measure |
2003(end September) |
2002 |
Companies Exporting for the 1st time to new markets |
Total:99UK:25EUR:44US:10Asia:13 |
Total:136UK:44EUR:58US:9Asia25 |
Companies establishing a new sales office in new market |
Total:127UK:31EUR:55US:19Asia:25 |
Total:133UK:47EUR:44US:23Asia:19 |
Meetings brokered by EI between Clients and Int. Buyers i.e. sales leads generated by EI |
Total:6,384UK:916EUR:2,892US:1,254Asia:1,322 |
Total:8,982UK:576EUR:4,464US:1,483Asia:2,459 |
85 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she has satisfied herself having regard to import and export figures in the past number of months that industry remains competitive and is soundly based for the future; if her attention has been drawn to factors requiring urgent attention in that regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24728/03]
Exports from Ireland declined by 19% in the first six months of this year over the same period in 2002, and imports declined by 25%. There are a number of reasons for this decline. The global economic slowdown has had an impact on trade globally, notably on the technology sectors in which Ireland is a significant exporter. In addition, a number of export intensive companies based in Ireland have closed over the past 18 months. The rise in the value of the euro against the currencies of our two main trading partners, Britain and the USA, has also had an impact.
The Government recognises the importance of ensuring that Ireland remains competitive, as a guarantee to future economic success and to correctly position ourselves to take advantage of improvements in the global economy. The annual competitiveness report produced by the National Competitiveness Council, while confirming many of Ireland's strengths, highlighted the many challenges we face and the difficult choices we have to make in the present uncertain global economic environment. Strengthening competitiveness requires a number of actions and the Government is fully committed to taking these appropriate measures, as I have stated on previous occasions. Indeed the recent IMF report, Ireland: 2003 Article lV Consultation, commended the Irish authorities. It stated: "for their exemplary track record of sound economic policies, which have resulted in a dynamic, open and robust economy with growth notably above the EU average over the past decade and resilience to external shocks." Sustaining Progress has at its core the need to underpin Ireland's competitiveness. Its goal is to create a virtuous circle of low inflation, moderate wage growth and higher productivity, thereby providing a firm competitive business environment for Irish industry.