Written answers

Thursday, 17 June 2004

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Industrial Development

4:00 pm

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 88: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the new markets that have been opened up to exporters; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18226/04]

Photo of Mary HarneyMary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Part of the role of Enterprise Ireland is to encourage and facilitate export markets for its clients companies. Enterprise Ireland encourages companies to identify those export markets which are profitable and expanding and benefiting the growth and development of the company.

Enterprise Ireland client companies export to all regions of the world. According to Enterprise Ireland's survey, annual business review 2003, the major export market for its client companies is Britain and Northern Ireland, followed by continental Europe. Exports to continental Europe in 2003 increased by 4.7% over 2002.

As part of monitoring client export activities Enterprise Ireland began to collect data in 2003 on the number of companies who were exporting to a new market. Results show that the greatest growth was again in exporting to Europe.

Enterprise Ireland has a range of services and an overseas office network, which is designed to expand current markets and to identify new markets for client companies. Enterprise Ireland runs workshops, seminars and exploratory market visits to familiarise companies with the requirements of successful export market penetration. It provides access to international market reports and undertaking research on behalf of clients, or groups of clients, to identify specific opportunities. It identifies recruiting or up-skilling key marketing personnel and specialist consultants. It provides access to potential buyers/partners/distributors through individual itineraries, trade missions, participation at trade fairs or through introductions to buyers on inward missions. Enterprise Ireland also provides incubator space in overseas markets for early stage market entrants and supporting these incubators with back-up services.

Enterprise Ireland has put in place a range of new initiatives geared towards clients developing export markets for the first time such as market mentors, training workshops, market visits, winning sales seminars, which aim at helping companies to achieve international sale, etc. in response to client demand.

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