Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 March 2024
142. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which Irish trade missions abroad continue to make successful conclusion in respect of the promotion of Irish exports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11511/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Foreign Affairs and its mission network plays an important role in promoting Irish trade throughout the world.
Our approach is guided by the Government’s Trade and Investment Strategy 2022-2026: Value for Ireland, Values for the World and the Global Ireland Strategy. In delivering on the priorities set out in these strategies, the Department of Foreign Affairs works closely with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and other departments and our enterprise support agencies, including Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, Bord Bia and Tourism Ireland.
The location and priority themes for annual trade missions are selected within the framework of Departmental strategies and the strategies and objectives of the State Agencies. While the specific focus of trade missions will vary, the overarching aim is always to unlock new opportunities for Irish businesses aiming to grow business overseas, showcase opportunities for foreign direct investment in support of high-quality jobs and regional development throughout Ireland, strengthen Ireland’s reputation as a partner in education, science, technology and innovation, and/or promote our world class tourism and cultural offerings.
2023 saw a range of Government led trade missions to key and emerging markets including the US, Canada, France, Denmark, Malaysia, Vietnam, the Czech Republic, as well as the inaugural Team Ireland Trade Mission week to the Republic of Korea. Team Ireland Trade Mission Week, a priority outcome of the Trade and Investment Strategy, was led by the Taoiseach and sought to leverage the expertise of all Team Ireland partners for a sustained, coherent and impactful engagement with a key like-minded partner in Asia. 2024 has a similarly ambitious programme of trade missions.
Ministerial-led trade missions focus on promoting the innovative capabilities and competitive offerings of Irish companies to international buyers in a range of sectors including internationally traded services, fintech, agri-food, high-tech construction, engineering, ICT and life sciences, and education research and innovation.
In key markets and geographical regions across the globe, our network of embassies, consulates and state agencies work together collaboratively as Local Market Teams (LMTs) or Regional Market Teams (RMTs) to plan and deliver trade missions and to follow up on actions and outcomes. The LMT/RMT model ensures that there is an ambitious and coordinated Team Ireland approach in-market, strengthens how Team Ireland cooperates, and ensures collective efforts are focused on areas of high potential benefit to Ireland.
Ireland’s markets for exports of goods and services continue to develop in a positive and sustainable manner. For the second year in a row, the value of Ireland’s global trade exceeded €1,000 billion in 2023. The very positive results are a testament to the resilience and vision in the Irish enterprise sector and the Government’s policy to assist Irish business in that vision.
