Seán Haughey
Ceist:1226. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her plans for a trade mission to Australia before the end of 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32856/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 24 July 2018
Ceisteanna (1226)
Freagraí scríofa
In March 2018, Enterprise Ireland announced that it is set to undertake over 200 international and domestic trade events in 2018 to accelerate the number of Enterprise Ireland clients diversifying into new markets. The number of trade events being undertaken represents a 50% increase on 2017, reflecting the challenge that Brexit poses for Irish businesses. 70 of these export focused trade events are being led by Government Ministers.
Enterprise Ireland’s Trade Missions and Events promote the capabilities of client companies to potential business partners and customers in international markets; a central element of the agency’s strategy for 2017 -2020: Build Scale, Expand Reach. In 2017 Enterprise Ireland ran 57 ministerial-led international trade events.
In October 2017, during the Presidential visit to Australia, the then Tánaiste and Minister for Business Enterprise and Innovation, Ms Frances Fitzgerald TD led a large mission of 55 companies to Australia across numerous sectors and there have been a number of Ministerial visits to the market in 2018, including those of Minister Flanagan and Minister Daly. Each of these visits included a strong trade and business agenda.
At present there are no plans for a further trade mission to Australia before the end of 2018. Later in the year, officials from the Department of Business Enterprise and Innovation will begin discussions with Enterprise Ireland with regard to the proposed ministerial trade mission list for 2019 and consideration will be given to scheduling a Trade Mission to the region at that time, in light of demand from the business community.
Finally, I might note that both my colleague, Minister Breen, and I met separately with Australia's Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Mr. Steven Ciobo MP, last week, during his Trade and Investment Mission to Ireland where we discussed growing opportunities for increased trade and investment between Ireland and Australia, as well as the opening of negotiations between the EU and Australia on a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA), among other issues.