Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 November 2021
198. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when it is planned to reopen the Institute for Trade and Investment in Taiwan as 17 other EU countries have trade offices there and the EU has a Mission Office in Taiwan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55379/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may know, the European Union is represented in Taiwan by the European Economic and Trade Office. This Office represents all EU Member States, including Ireland, and seeks to seeks to strengthen economic and trade relations with Taiwan. There has been a Taipei Representative Office in Dublin since 1988.
Enterprise Ireland is the Government agency responsible for the development and growth of Irish enterprises in world markets. Marketplace services for Irish companies targeting Taiwan are provided through Enterprise Ireland's office in Hong Kong and locally in Taipei via a consultancy arrangement, which is managed by the agency's Hong Kong office.
IDA Ireland, the agency responsible for attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) to Ireland, actively manages the Taiwanese market from its Singapore office as an integral element of its market development plan for the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Taiwan. In response to continuing trends identifying Singapore as the primary source of outbound FDI destined for Europe, IDA Ireland considers it prudent to maintain its market presence in Singapore. In this context, IDA Ireland does not have any immediate plans to reopen an office in Taipei and will continue to service the Taiwanese market from its Singapore office.
