Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

The Government has introduced a new approach to trade promotion and trade missions. A total of 18 trade missions are planned for 2012, compared to 12 in 2011 and 13 in 2010. This is a step change in the number of trade missions. This increase in activity will also see a more intense focus on BRIC economies. This year, trade missions will be made to Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa and other high potential markets such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Last year, I led the first trade mission to India since 2008. Following an invitation from the Chinese Vice President, during his successful visit to Ireland last week, it was announced that the Taoiseach would lead a trade mission to China next month – the first Taoiseach-led mission to that country since 2008. Three missions are planned to China this year. Other missions will include Canada, Malaysia and Japan. These are designed to drive benefits from negotiations on EU free trade agreements that are likely to start or are close to finalisation.

The character of these missions has also changed. The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade now plays a central role in trade promotion. This represents a new and important focus for Ireland's overseas diplomatic representation on the challenge of growing exports. It is vital that we build a vigorous export-led recovery and this reorganisation recognises this challenge. This new approach is supported by the Export Trade Council, chaired by the Tánaiste and on which I also participate.

The focus of trade missions also reflects the views of business and exporters who are represented on the council. The plan for trade missions in 2012 is to intensify the level of missions and to place a new emphasis on emerging markets. They are now designed to support the priority objectives of the ambassador and agency market teams that have been put in place under the Trade Council to accelerate new business in many emerging economies. These new teams report to that council where I monitor their activity.

This work builds on a concept developed by the last Government, to co-ordinate the efforts across agencies and Departments in support of our trade objectives.

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