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Trade Missions

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 April 2021

Wednesday, 21 April 2021

Ceisteanna (197)

Paul Donnelly

Ceist:

197. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of virtual trade missions to the USA that were held in 2020 and to date in 2021; and if a virtual trade mission to the USA will be held before the end of quarter 2. [20099/21]

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Freagraí scríofa

Each year, Enterprise Ireland offers a programme of trade missions and events which support the goal of securing high-level market access for companies based in Ireland who are aiming to grow business overseas and increase domestic employment.

In recent years the majority of Ministerial-led Trade Missions have taken place to the Eurozone, North America and Asia Pacific, which represented the strongest growth opportunities for Irish companies. These Ministerial-led Trade Missions focused on promoting the innovative capabilities and competitive offerings of Irish companies to international buyers in sectors including internationally traded services, fintech, high-tech construction, engineering, ICT and lifesciences.

The Ministerial-led Trade Missions Programme 2020 was severely curtailed due to Covid-19 travel restrictions, and a number of trade missions were postponed or held virtually. Enterprise Ireland proceeded with over 40 sector specific digital events in 2020 which brought Enterprise Ireland clients, US buyers and sectoral experts together.

Promotion of Irish companies abroad also continued through 2020 via the work of our State agencies, and, in particular, their offices located on the ground internationally.

Ministerial-led trade missions will be taking place virtually and, where possible, physically during 2021. Key virtual Ministerial events for the USA market to date in 2021 included:

7th January: Enterprise Ireland collaborated with the American Chamber of Commerce on an Invest in California event, featuring Minister Robert Troy and California LT Governor Eleni Kounalakis.

28th January: Future of Digital Transformation US Dairy Virtual Event - Minister Robert Troy.

16th March: Future of Energy USA Event - Minister Ossian Smyth.

16th March: California State Round Table with CA LT Governor Eleni Kounalakis (San Francisco) - An Tánaiste Leo Varadkar.

17th March: Washington State Event (Seattle) - Celebrating Ireland and Washington State's Transatlantic Partnership - An Tánaiste Leo Varadkar.

In addition to these events, there were 12 sector specific webinar events for clients, key US buyers and stakeholders covering Life Sciences, Construction, Consumer Retail, Fintech & Services, Education Services, Animation and Digital Content, ICT, Cyber Security, Talent and HR Technology.

Enterprise Ireland is currently making preparations to arrange a number of virtual US market events which will take place during Q2 2021 with Ministerial involvement and will focus on sectors including construction, travel tech and education.

Running in tandem with the virtual and actual missions in 2021, Enterprise Ireland, and its staff overseas, will continue to support companies to sustain their existing export sales and to increasingly diversify their export markets. This will include strengthening the sales and marketing capability of companies, with a particular focus on remote/virtual channels and providing targeted financial and advisory supports to companies adversely impacted by COVID-19 and Brexit to support their adaptation to the challenging market environment.

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