Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 March 2017
295. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the way her Department's officials are co-ordinating and targeting access to more EU markets following the Brexit referendum result, as mentioned in the Taoiseach's recent speech to the IIEA and at the all-island civic dialogue. [10422/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI secured additional monies for 2017 to provide for 39 targeted posts in Enterprise Ireland (EI) to enable it to support its clients across all markets. Extra staff will be placed in EI’s domestic and overseas offices with sectoral knowledge and expertise such as in engineering, food, life sciences and construction. This will drive export growth to other international markets where there are known opportunities and reduce reliance on the UK.
Enterprise Ireland’s new Strategy 2017 – 2020 will support more Irish companies to achieve greater scale and expand into new export markets. Though the ‘Global Ambition’ strategy we will continue our efforts in the established export markets of France, Benelux, Germany and the Nordics where Irish companies already have substantial exports. We will have a major focus on directing resources and expertise to the Eurozone markets, targeting a 50% increase in exports by 2020.
Furthermore, the US and Canada will continue to be key markets for Irish companies. We will also continue to support companies to build their market share in high potential markets of China, South Korea, India, ASEAN, the Gulf, Latin America and Africa.
A key element of the 2017 drive for expanding our global export footprint include an enhanced programme of trade and investment missions, market study visits and inward buyer visits from markets with specific sectoral opportunities.
Key events taking place in the Eurozone region will be Mobile World Congress [Spain], Paris Air Show [France], Batimat Construction [France], Datacentre Market Study Visit [Denmark and Sweden], Agritechnica [Germany], Port Development Infrastructure [Denmark], Med in Ireland [Dublin], Medica [Germany], PharmaBuild [Benelux], TV and Animation Market Study Visit [Italy], and Telefonica 2017 Opportunities [Spain].
In 2017, EI will also roll out the ‘Global Ambition’ communications campaign to promote Irish companies and their products and services to international buyers.
Enterprise Ireland’s Irish based team will be enhanced with additional staff to provide various targeted supports and programmes to assist companies before they enter the market. Training and supports in terms of management capability, leadership, marketing/sales skills, innovation and R&D will help companies to build market share and create new market opportunities.
Enterprise Ireland will also deliver a suite of supports that help clients reduce supply-chain costs and drive efficiencies and cost reductions as a means of improving operating margins, thereby increasing competitiveness.
